Pirates show their transfer hand

Orlando Pirates also flexed their muscle in the transfer market as they confirmed their signings of Filipe Ovono, Tendai Ndoro, Gift Motupa, Thembinkosi Lorch and Luvuyo Memela.

The Buccaneers are currently preparing for their Caf Confederations Cup group stage match against AC Leopards. The latest Buccaneer recruits were introduced to the technical team and the rest of their team-mates during the club’s medical examinations, held at the Rand Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

“I signed for Orlando Pirates during the previous season but I had to go back to my country, Equatorial Guinea, in order to apply for a work permit.

“I’m excited to be finally with my team, it’s been difficult following them from the side-lines but I’m just honoured to be finally here. Pirates is a big team and people back home and across the African continent know and respect this club, which is why I’m grateful for the opportunity to play for them,” said Ovono in an interview published on the club’s official website orlandopiratesfc.com.

“Firstly, it’s a great honour and a dream come true to play for one of the biggest clubs in Africa, I wish to do my best in the coming season and repay the faith the club has shown me by allowing me to join its ranks.

“I know I’ve my work cut out for me because Pirates has one of the best striking departments currently in the PSL. All the strikers are in form and are scoring goals regularly, which is a good thing because it shows we have a strong striking department, and knowing that I’m surrounded by good and talented players is a huge motivation for me. I can only hope that I’m able to contribute positively by scoring goals next season,” said Ndoro.

“I’m happy for the opportunity to play for Pirates and I hope I can grab it with both hands and excel. I’m aware that not every player that gets this opportunity so I plan on making the best of it. I’m a central midfielder and for me it’s important that I measure myself against the best, and playing for a club like Pirates gives me that opportunity,” said Motupa

Other players to join the Orlando Pirates stable, who also participated in the examinations yesterday, are Thembinkosi Lorch and Luvuyo Memela. Both players plied their trade in the National First Division for Maluti FET and Cape Town All Stars respectively. — Supersport.