Orlando Pirates have reportedly decided to include midfielder Philip Ndlondlo as part of their transfer deal that will see them sign Polokwane City’s Oswin Appollis and Thabang Matuludi.
Pirates have been negotiating with Polokwane over the transfer of the two players in the January transfer window and to lessen the financial burden, they have decided to use the midfielder as makeweight.
The Buccaneers had reportedly identified Katlego Otladisa to move the other way as part of the transfer but the winger has since joined Sekhukhune United on loan until the end of the season.
Pirates feel Ndlondlo will seal the deal
“You remember about the loose ends still to be tied and discussed? One of those is that Polokwane City want to have a player and money from Pirates,” a source told Soccer Laduma.
“The initial player that they wanted was Katlego Otladisa and since that didn’t work out, they are believed to have asked for Philip Ndlondlo as the player who could be involved in the deal.
“So, as we speak now, that is what both teams are looking at and things could be done sooner than expected.”
Will Polokwane cope minus the duo?
Pirates believe including the player would alter the financial terms of the deal, believed to be R15 million, allowing them room to negotiate a lower sum for the highly rated duo.
The two players have been key for Polokwane City, who ended 2024 in third place on the PSL standings, and coach Phuti Mohafe will be hoping for some reinforcements if he is to lose both of them.
Appollis was a subject of interest from Kaizer Chiefs in the off-season transfer window but the Glamour Boys did not meet Polokwane’s valuation and it seems that their Soweto rivals have moved ahead of the queue.
