MARITZBURG WAITING IN THE WINGS AS PIRATES ASSESS MABENA

Maritzburg United are monitoring the situation of striker Ndumiso Mabena, who is currently undergoing an assessment with Orlando Pirates, the Siya crew understands.

Mabena is currently a free agent and is understood to have been linked with a return to his former club following his nasty exit from Royal AM.

The 35-year-old spent five years at the Buccaneers, between 2009 and 2014, although he had an unsatisfactory return in front of goal, managing just eight goals and four assistants in 71 appearances for Pirates in that time.

According to the latest information reaching Soccer Laduma, Maritzburg have also set their sights on the veteran striker and are waiting to pounce, should he fail to land a deal with the Soweto giants.

As per Siya sources, Maritzburg coach John Maduka is keen on reuniting with his former Bloemfontein Celtic captain in Pietermaritzburg as he continues to look for a striker.

Mabena recently became a free agent after parting ways with Royal AM, where he spent one season, having formed part of the sale of Celtic at the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

He scored two goals in 24 appearances in all competitions for Thwihli Thwahla last season.

It now remains to be seen whether the striker manages to impress coach Jose Riveiro and his technical team to become Pirates’ 10th signing of the season or if he will reunite with his former coach in Pietermaritzburg instead.