Orlando Pirates News Today: Tito parts ways with Al-Khaldiya? Underdogs ready to shock Bucs & more…

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Tito parts ways with Al-Khaldiya? Underdogs ready to shock Bucs & more…

The latest Orlando Pirates news in the last 24 hours including, updates on Patrick Maswanganyi’s situation abroad, Milford ready to shock Bucs, and more.

Pirates latest news as they break

Tito parts ways with Al-Khaldiya?

Reports suggesting that Patrick Maswanganyi and Al-Khaldiya SC have reached a mutual agreement to terminate the midfielder’s contract have been dismissed, with a source confirming that the South African remains with the club.

Speculation circulated on social media over the weekend, with claims that Maswanganyi’s alleged departure was linked to issues of ill-discipline.

However, those reports have now been disputed, with an indication that the former Orlando Pirates star is still part of the club’s plans. His move to Al-Khaldiya represented an opportunity to continue his career abroad after making his mark in Mzansi.  

Naturally, developments surrounding a player who had been an important figure at Pirates are likely to attract attention, particularly when reports emerge suggesting a possible early end to his new adventure.

However, a source has moved to set the record straight, dismissing the claims that Maswanganyi and the Bahraini club are preparing to part ways.

Patrick Maswangayi at Alkhaldiya Sports Club.
Patrick Maswangayi at Alkhaldiya Sports Club. Image: Alkhaldiya Sports Club.

“There is no truth to those reports. He is still with the club and played over the weekend. The club appreciates him, and he is happy,” said the source.

The clarification comes amid the speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future, with the source maintaining that Maswanganyi remains at Al-Khaldiya SC and that there is no truth to the reports of a separation.

We are going there as underdogs

Milford FC midfielder Menzi Chili has admitted that his side will head into their Carling Knockout Cup clash against Orlando Pirates as underdogs, but insists that they will be determined to make the most of the opportunity to reach the next round.

Pirates, who are the defending champions, will go into the encounter with considerable experience in cup competitions, but Milford will be hoping to carry their recent performances into Tuesday’s clash and challenge the Soweto giants.

Speaking exclusively to the Siya crew, Chili acknowledged the quality within the Pirates squad but stressed that Milford would approach the match without unnecessary pressure as they look to cause an upset.

“We are going there as underdogs, no pressure whatsoever, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to go into the next round. It will be a different ball game since it is a cup game, but hey, the truth is nothing will excite you more than playing against the team of this magnitude,” Chili said as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

“We’ve been having a good run. I believe we will take the same performance into that cup game and see how it turns out. We will do our best to try go to the next round.

Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates players in training, Image – Orlando Pirates

“Hence I’ve mentioned earlier that it will be a different ball game. They are one of the biggest and best clubs in Africa with too much quality. Yes, we know what they are capable of and when it comes to cup games, they have more experience compared to us.

“We’re going there to play our normal game, hoping for the great results,” he concluded.

Ncikazi’s exit to impact players

Former Orlando Pirates winger Tlou Segolela believes Mandla Ncikazi’s departure from the Buccaneers will be felt by the players, but insists the club has the experience and professionalism to move forward.

Ncikazi has left Pirates to return to Golden Arrows, where he will take up the head coach position, bringing an end to his spell with the Soweto giants that began in August 2021. 

Segolela acknowledged the emotional impact of losing someone who had built strong relationships within the dressing room but believes the move presents an exciting opportunity for the experienced coach.

“Obviously, when things are like that, when he had built good relationships with the players, he was familiar with the environment and the institution, yes, it’s going to be sad, but it’s football,” Segolela told KickOff.

“Football is about opportunity. He was there serving as an assistant, and now he has the opportunity to come back and be a head coach again. 

Mandla Ncikazi, Orlando Pirates
Mandla Ncikazi, Orlando Pirates. Image: Orlando Pirates

“If you recall, I think he’s the guy who brought Arrows to number four on the log, which I think was their best achievement in the log standings. So it’s a great opportunity. Now he can stand for himself, he can make decisions.

“For Pirates, it’s now an opportunity for someone to come in. It is going to be sad for the players he was close to working with, but they are professionals, they can adjust and move on,” Segolela concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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