Orlando Pirates are believed to be ready to go into the market for yet another striker in the off-season.
Pirates are believed to already be closing in on DRC striker Andy Boyeli but that doesn’t seem to be enough.
They’re also believed to be in the race for Ivorian striker Freddy Michael Kouablan, with archrivals Kaizer Chiefs. The club was already active in the recently concluded January transfer window. The likes of Thabiso Lebitso and Talent Mbatha were roped in by Pirates, who then saw Bienvenu Eva Nga released. Then perhaps, the biggest outgoing was that of club stalwart Thembinkosi Lorch. The playmaker shocked the local football fraternity by securing a deadline-day move to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.
In recent weeks, it was rumoured that they’re monitoring veteran Swati goal machine Sabelo Ndzinisa. this publication reported that Pirates had welcomed former Burnley youth academy striker Tremaine Eastmond for assessments. While they seem to have passed on the opportunity sign the veteran Ndzinisa, Eastmond seems to be a player edging closer to a move.
Pirates have even cast their net as far wide as the Motsepe Foundation Championship. They are thought to have been scouting Hungry Lions striker Muzomuhle Khanyi. It now seems as if he is not the only first division striker on their radar. The Buccaneers are also rumoured to be chasing Casric Stars hitman Decide Chauke according to Soccer-Laduma.
“For now, it’s an inquiry which means there is something they (Pirates) are seeing in the player. They have interest in him hence they have inquired. It seems they are really serious about bringing in more strikers in the off season and Decide (Chauke) is one of the players they are looking at. He is a good striker and at his age he can be the right signing as he is only 28-years-old right now,” said one source.
A second source touched on how Pirates got to Chauke
CHAUKE A TARGET
“Their (Pirates) scouting department is doing a good job. They are looking in different directions to find the right striker or strikers to join the team next season. There will be changes in the striking department next season and that’s why they are looking at Decide (Chauke) from Casric Stars,” said the second source.
Wether Pirates eventually decide to sign Chauke, remains to be seen.