Orlando Pirates once had a promising striker named Excellent Walaza, and many fans saw him as the next big star of the club.
He broke into the first team in 2005 at the age of 18 and was known for his calmness in front of goal. The Soweto-born striker came through the club’s youth ranks and made it to the senior team, even benching some of the more experienced forwards.
The ‘Happy People’ witnessed Walaza’s talent during the 2007 Vodacom Challenge, where he was introduced in the second half and immediately made an impact. The lanky striker was Owen Da Gama’s first-choice forward during the first half of the 2007/08 season, scoring 10 goals.
Walaza was excellent for Pirates in 2007
Walaza will always be remembered for scoring a brace against rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a Soweto derby that ended in a 2-2 draw in 2007. His impressive form that season earned him a call-up to Bafana Bafana, and he was included in Carlos Alberto Parreira’s squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. Although he did not play in the tournament, he earned two caps for the national team.
Although he started the 2007/08 season on a high note, Walaza struggled to replicate his early success and spent much of the second half of that season. Owen Da Gama’s departure from Pirates in 2008 saw the ex-striker struggle to impress Ruud Krol.
He was loaned out to SuperSport United and Bloemfontein Celtic in the following seasons but failed to make a significant impact.
What happened to Excellent Walaza?
His last club was Atletico in 2012, but he didn’t remain there for long. Around 2013/14, Walaza surfaced at struggling Moroka Swallows but failed to earn a contract.
He has continued to play at an amateur level around Soweto but was last contracted back in 2013.
How good was the lanky striker?
In his early years, Excellent Walaza had the pace, technique, and eye for goal to be a standout player. However, with Pirates transitioning through three coaches in three years, he struggled to find consistency and support. His loan spells did little to help his development, and ultimately, he faded from prominence in 2012. While he rediscovered some form at Celtic, off-the-field issues appeared to hinder his progress.
Did you enjoy watching Walaza play?
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