He hasn’t kicked a ball for the club in over a year, but it appears that Orlando Pirates forgotten goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane has been given a lifeline at the club.

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There has been interest in his services from local clubs as he hopes to secure regular game time- but Pirates may be forced to hold onto the veteran goalkeeper a bit longer.

Mpontshane has been a peripheral figure at the club over the last two seasons, clearly not forming part of coach Josef Zinnbauer’s plans.

The Siya crew previously reported that Maritzburg United, Golden Arrows and Chippa United are all keeping tabs on the 34-year-old, whose contract comes to an end in June 2021. 

Despite the player having no future at the club, Pirates may hold onto Mpontshane for a longer period, due to their CAF Confederation Cup commitments. The Soweto giants will return to continental competition for a third season running and will be looking to register a full-strength squad for the competition they came close to winning in 2015.

In goal, the club currently has Richard Ofori, 26, who appears to be the club’s number one, as well as veteran Wayne Sandilands, 36. Pirates have also promoted 21-year-old Kopano Thuntsane to the first team, though it is highly unlikely that they will use a player with no top-flight experience in the Confederation Cup. 

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This opens up the door for Mpontshane, who could be used as back-up for the club’s regular keepers, when they are on continental duty. 

Mpontshane joined Pirates in 2015, after his impressive performances for the now-defunct Platinum Stars.

Check out Pirates’ squad for the 2020/21 season: