Pirates unmoved on Tyson question

ORLANDO Pirates are not desperate to sign a central defender despite speculation being rife that the club is working tirelessly to lure Bidvest Wits and Bafana Bafana captain Thulani “Tyson” Hlatshwayo.

Pirates have been heavily linked with the defender but neither the Buccaneers nor the Clever Boys have officially come out to speak about the potential move.

Former Pirates defender, Siyabonga Sangweni recently told the media that Hlatshwayo is the missing puzzle in the Bucs defence.

Pirates are believed to be willing to let go of Thabo Matlaba and Mpho Makola or even Abbubaker Mobara in their attempt to sign the Bafana skipper.

The club’s assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena refused to be drawn into discussions about Hlatshwayo during his time in Durban this week.

“No comment! I can’t talk about other teams’ players because I know where that question is going. We have seven centrebacks, (Gladwin) Shitolo, (Ntsikelelo) Nyauza, Happy Jele, (Marshall) Munetsi and Justice Chabalala. Plus two more who were on loan in the NFD, Brian Hlongwa (Real Kings) and Sandile Mthethwa (Richards Bay FC). We’ve got a lot, we are covered,” Mokwena said as he dodged the question about Hlatshwayo.

Since the departures of Sangweni, Rooi Mahamutsa and Lucky Lekgwathi, Pirates have tried different combinations with little success. Hlatshwayo is seen as the player who will bring leadership in defence.

Independent Media has it on good authority, however, that the likes of Nkosinathi Mthiyane, Issa Sarr, Wayne Sandilands, Makola, Matlaba, Thamsanqa Sangweni and Thamsanqa Gabuza – who all struggled for game time last season – will be declared surplus to requirements soon.