Orlando Pirates boost as PSL club agrees to sell top target

The immediate future of Polokwane City defender Thabang Matuludi is expected to be decided in the coming days, with the new season rapidly approaching.

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, are reportedly in a race to sign the Bafana Bafana international for the 2026/27 season.

Both teams have intensified their pursuit and are now awaiting a final decision from Polokwane City chairman, Jonny Mogaladi, on their respective offers.

Polokwane open to Matuludi exit

For Orlando Pirates, securing Matuludi would be a significant win after recently losing out on another target. The Buccaneers were poised to sign winger Siyanda Ndlovu, who had even completed a medical, but he ultimately made a last-minute switch to join Sundowns.

Sources close to Polokwane City have indicated that Mogaladi is prepared to sell Matuludi and is currently evaluating the proposals from both Pirates and Sundowns.

“The boss wants a little bit of space to choose the right offer for both the player and the club,” a source told KickOff. “He has agreed to sell the player and he is expected to leave.”

Pirates get transfer encouragement

Adding to the urgency is Matuludi’s contract situation, the fullback has just one year remaining on his deal with Rise and Shine which puts pressure on the club to sell him during the current transfer window rather than risk losing him for free when he becomes eligible to sign a pre-contract in January.

Matuludi was part of the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 World Cup, although he did not feature in any matches during the tournament.