Orlando Pirates have announced four more departures as they rebuild their squad for next season, following another successful campaign with head coach Jose Riveiro.
Having already said goodbye to Fortune Makaringe, who is expected to join Cape Town City, the Soweto giants have now confirmed the exits of goalkeepers Siyabonga Mpontshane and Richard Ofori, striker Kermit Eramus, as well as midfielder Thabang Monare, who was at the Africa Cup of Nations with Bafana Bafana earlier this year.
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Of the four players, Mpontshane was the longest serving one. He joined the Soweto giants from Platinum Stars in 2015 and was, at the time, seen as a long-term number one replacement for Senzo Meyiwa, who had passed away in 2014.
Mpontshane, however, was unable to hold down a regular spot in the starting line-up, with other goalkeepers such as Wayne Sandilands, Jackson Mabokgwane and Ofori getting ahead of him in the team over the years.
Like Monare, Ofori was at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, playing as number one goalkeeper for Ghana. He joined Pirates in 2020 from Maritzburg United, but injuries in the last two or so seasons have played a part in him losing his place in the team. This past season, he was the third choice goalkeeper behind Sipho Chaine and Melusi Chaine. He made just three appearances, all of which came in the CAF Champions League qualifying rounds earlier in the campaign.
Erasmus joined Pirates last season from Sundowns for a second spell and many hoped that it would be a successful reunion. While he won four trophies with the Buccaneers, Erasmus was unable to get to top scoring form nor win a regular place in the team. He is linked with a move to Cape Town City.
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Monare, who has been linked with SuperSport United, joined Pirates in 2020 and won five titles with the club.
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