Orlando Pirates news: Van Rooyen, Saleng, Mofokeng

First-placed Orlando Pirates have had a perfect start to the season.

Despite a shock Nedbank Cup knockout at the hands of newcomers Magesi FC, the Buccaneers have been flawless, winning all seven league games, scoring thirteen times and conceding only twice.

The cherry on top is that they already have silverware to flaunt, beating Stellenbosch FC to lift their fourth MTN8 Cup in five years.

Player updates

Ironically, the Orlando Pirates have had an injury crisis amid their best-ever start to the season. However, they are ready to welcome back seven players who will be available for their upcoming Champions League match against CR Belouizdad.

According to Orlando Pirates’ official website, 28-year-old right back Deano Van Rooyen is ready to return after sustaining an injury weeks after joining from Stellenbosch FC. There’s a good chance he will be in the Champions League squad.

Monnapule Saleng and Relehobile Mofokeng have been attracting European attention but look likely to remain after the January transfer window – next season, however, could be a different story.

“It’s not like the interest died off. It is just that last season he was not playing much so it was hard for the teams interested in him to monitor his progress but they were checking what was going on. Now, since he is back in the thick of things, the interest has arisen again”, an anonymous source told Soccer Laduma.

“It’s Standard Liege that have shown interest. Actually, last season, they were also interested in Mohau Nkota while Monaco SC were interested in Saleng. So, now it is believed that the Standard Liege scouts are looking at Saleng since Nkota has not been playing much since his promotion”, they concluded.

Regarding Mofokeng’s future, speculation of him moving grew after his former coach, Mandla Qhogi, said publicly that he should go abroad.

“For me, it will be a good time for him to go overseas. It is the right time and there are things that he would learn if he were to move now at this stage of his career. The more we keep him this side it could mean that we are delaying him. He is 20, and I think it is the right time for him to move if he has to be sold overseas.”

Do you think Mofokeng will leave Orlando Pirates?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.