Orlando Pirates are continuing their approach of investing in talented youngsters for their DDC side.
Pirates have had relative success signing players from various academies and lower ranks to boost their reserve side.
Pirates youth recruitment success
In the most recent years Pirates signed the likes Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Camren Dansin. All of those players were promoted to their senior team after showing great promising in their DDC ranks. Out of the list, three are already Bafana Bafana internationals and are set to go to the AFCON and possibly World Cup. In fact, Nkota has already moved on in a big money move to Al-Ettifaq in the lucrative Saudi League.
Mbokazi is now also on the verge of completing a lucrative move from Pirates to Chicago Fire in MLS. While ironically, out of the bench, Mofokeng was the first to be promoted and get overseas interest. Yet he is set to be the last one remaining in the Buccaneers camp. But regardless of that, all the above players serve as an example of the pipeline at the club.
Sign three from Mokwena’s Black Poison side
Pirates with that track record backing them continue to use that same model with confidence. Now according to Soccer-Laduma, their next victim to raid is Black Poison, a team their former coach Rulani Mokwena oversees. This by signing players Samukelo Zikalala, Joy Manana and Keagan Mpele.
“According to Siya sources, Pirates have secured three players from Mokwena’s ranks across their reserve and feeder teams. Midfielder Samukelo Zikalala and attacker Joy Manana have joined the Orlando Pirates DDC team, where they will work under the club’s structured development framework and compete in the PSL’s reserve league. Both players were standout performers for Black Poison and were identified early as footballers capable of adapting to a professional environment. Defensive midfielder Keagan Mpele has taken a parallel route, signing with the Orlando Pirates ABC Motsepe League side. The move places him in a competitive senior environment, often used by the Buccaneers to toughen promising players before they move closer to first-team consideration.” Wrote the publication.
Smart strategy Buccaneers?
It now remains to be seen if Zikalala, Manana and Mpele enjoy similar success at Pirates. Buccaneers, what do you think of this transfer strategy? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.