What the Siya crew has been told…
Ben Motshwari is nearing the end of his contract with Orlando Pirates and is yet to have his deal extended and is concerned about his future, the Siya crew has been reliably informed. While talks have been started between the club and the player's camp, there has been no progress, according to sources. Indications are that Bucs are aiming to have contract talks with some of the players whose deals will be expiring in June, at the end of the season. So far, the proposal made by the player's camp has been rejected by the Soweto giants, with indications that the club isn't prepared to bend, sources have revealed. While the Siya crew understands there is no formal offer made from Kaizer Chiefs for Motshwari, insiders have revealed that there are plans to offer the central midfielder to Bucs' perennial rivals as one of the options, should he be allowed to leave the Houghton-based club. "Ben Motshwari's contract is coming to an end at Pirates and the player is concerned about the situation. Also, he hasn't been playing as regularly as he would have loved to and those are the things that are being taken into consideration in deciding his future. One thing is for sure, the boy has got offers, but Pirates are being given the first option as the club has been good to him and he has done well for the team," said a source. Regarding the Amakhosi link, the source said, "Why not? Chiefs is one of the clubs in the league and if there is interest there, and he is getting a better deal, he will go. One thing about Ben, he is a fighter and he can play there (at Chiefs) and do well. In fact, there are plans to offer the player to Chiefs if he is leaving Pirates." After almost five years with Ezimnyama Ngenkani, having joined the club in 2018 from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits, Motshwari is said to be looking for an improved contract in his next deal. "At the end of the day, he isn't getting any younger and will need to secure his future. The deal has to benefit all the parties involved," the source added. AmaZulu FC are one of the clubs understood to be monitoring the situation closely, with a view to replace his close friend Makhehleni Makhaula, who made a move to Pirates in January, while Sekhukhune United also showed interest before signing Kamohelo Mokotjo two months ago. "AmaZulu are interested. They are one of the clubs that will be considered in the search for a new club, depending on Pirates' decision at the end of the season," said the source.
What are the facts?
Ben Motshwari has made 13 appearances in Pirates' 2022/23 DStv Premiership campaign, with only three of those being starts. The Randfontein-born player has featured mostly as a substitute under coach Jose Riveiro, having come on 10 times in the league, while he has been in the matchday squads on 21 occasions. The 31-year-old was influential in Bucs' MTN8 triumph earlier this season after featuring in three of the four matches in the competition, including playing 90 minutes in the final against Usuthu in November 2022. The defensive midfielder had an assist in Bucs' impressive 3-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the second leg semi-final in October. By his standards, Motshwari hasn't performed to his true potential over the past two seasons. While off-the-field issues did play a part in affecting the player's progress and contribution to the team, insiders have indicated that the midfielder is fully focused and committed to serving the Buccaneers to the best of his abilities, though the coach has the final say on his best XI to put out on the park on matchday. In September of 2021, Pirates suspended Motshwari after the star was charged by the police. "Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that it has suspended midfielder Ben Motshwari after being charged by police this morning. Mr Motshwari will remain suspended, pending an investigation," the club confirmed in their official statement at the time, in part. The player went on to have arguably one of his most disappointing seasons in a Bucs jersey after he finished the campaign with 12 league starts, although he was crucial in the team's impressive CAF Confederation Cup campaign which ended in the final, making seven appearances. In his first three seasons with Bucs, Motshwari had been hugely involved, having made 71 appearances in the league in total. He was influential in the Students winning the league in the 2016/17 season with 20 appearances.
The story behind the scenes
Pirates/Chiefs' gentlemen's agreement to dictate?
When it comes to Pirates and Chiefs, there is a gentleman's agreement that was reached by the two clubs a few years ago about not signing players from each other, something that could potentially play a part in hindering any probable switch for Motshwari. However, there have been a few instances in recent times where players have moved from one side of Soweto to the other and it remains to be seen what will happen with Motshwari and the plans to offer him to Amakhosi. While he is still regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league and having the experience of playing at the highest level and with a big-match temperament, age might count against Motshwari in relation to Chiefs' sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr's plans for the club on reducing age. Since taking over as the sporting director, Motaung Jnr promised to reduce the average age of the team's squad. Of the players signed by the Naturena-based outfit for the 2022/23 season, only Siyethemba Sithebe has since reached the age of 30, and had been snapped up on a pre-contract from AmaZulu, and that was before Motaung Jnr's decision on the squad's average age. Also, Amakhosi have looked to be covered in central midfield role, unless the club will look to make changes in the squad, with the likes of Cole Alexander and Phathutshedzo Nange appearing to be facing an uncertain future with the club.
Big payday
While Motshwari is understood to be on a decent salary at the Buccaneers, indications are that the player is already thinking about life after football, as he will be turning 32 later this month. The star wants to 'secure the bag' to be in a position to have something to fall back on after football and will certainly consider an attractive offer elsewhere if he doesn't get what he believes he is worth, at Pirates. Motshwari is at the peak of his career and the time is right for him to cash in on a lucrative deal that will benefit him financially. "A career in football is short and players need to make the best out of their careers while they still can. You can't blame any player on the other side of 30 for wanting the best possible deal out there and he (Motshwari) won't be different," said the source.
AmaZulu watching on to possibly replace Makhaula
Usuthu are monitoring the situation closely with Motshwari as the club is planning to replace Makhehleni Makhaula after his move to Pirates in January. Since taking over the ownership of the club in 2020, Sandile Zungu has been vocal about his vision for the Durban-based side in wanting the team to be among the top four in Mzansi. The Usuthu president has looked to compete in the transfer market with the league's big guns as some of the top players in the country have joined the side in recent seasons. It will come as no surprise if the KwaZulu-Natal giants make a formal offer for the Pirates star at the end of the season should he be available.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"When you talk about Ben Motshwari, you are talking about an experienced player who has done it all. He has done so well so far in his professional career since his days with Wits and now at Pirates. At his age, he is in the prime of his career and I would want to believe that he deserves whatever he is asking for. If he was a youngster, I would advise him to take whatever he is being offered and focus on making a name for himself in the PSL, but he isn't young anymore and he needs to take care of his future. If I was his agent, I would advise him to take his time and go for the best possible deal, financially, possibly at the end of the season. If it's Chiefs that he will be going to, that will be good for his profile as he would have been one of the players to have played for both Soweto giants, but if a good deal comes from elsewhere, he should go for it. But I think Pirates haven't made a decision on him yet and maybe he will be signing a new contract to stay with the club."
Watch This Space
The few weeks leading up to the end of the season will be crucial for Motshwari to convince Pirates that he deserves a new and improved contract. Indications are that the player is still in the coach's plans, though the decision to keep him will depend on the club and whether the parties do manage to reach an agreement on financial terms. The player's next deal is likely to be the biggest of his career and money will be the focal point. With the contract ending, Motshwari will have the advantage of choosing the club he wants to join, if Pirates decide against keeping him, and be able to discuss his financial terms without the involvement of a transfer fee. Don't be surprised to see a few more clubs enquiring into his availability, if he becomes a free agent.
Should Motshwari stay at Pirates or move on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
