Orlando Pirates have confirmed the team’s return for pre-season and provided a crucial update on players' contracts.
The club’s administrative officer Floyd Mbele confirmed that after the team returned last week for Covid-19 testing and some initial fitness assessments, while training resumed today.
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Furthermore, Pirates officially confirmed that the technical team has requested time to assess all the players, including those returning from loan before they can present their recommendations for the new campaign.
The Buccaneers are in advanced talks with the representatives of players whose contracts have come to an end, about the renewal of the deals.
“July marks the beginning of the year in football terms, for most leagues across the globe. This is a time of the year where old contracts end, and new ones begin. As the teams in the DStv Premiership start to take shape in advance of the 2021/22 season, Orlando Pirates management is working around the clock in finalising the squad. It is not unusual for most clubs during pre-season, to begin their programmes with bloated squads. For the Buccaneers, it will be no different. The Technical Team will reduce the playing complement to a manageable number ahead of the new campaign,” Pirates stated on the club’s official website.
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As quoted on Pirates’ website, Mbele provided the latest update at the Soweto giants.
“We met with the technical team last week and they have requested time to assess all the players, including those returning from loan before they can present their recommendations,” he said.
“With respect to the players whose contracts have come to an end, contract negotiations are still ongoing. We are in advanced talks with their respective representatives and will make the necessary announcements in due course,” said Mbele.
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“Pre-season training starts today however, the players and technical staff returned last week. As a club, it is important that prior to any resumption of training taking place, we need to ensure that the necessary medical tests are done. Covid testing has become the norm. All our players and staff members had to undergo testing. Obviously, this is not a once off, as we are required as per the leagues’ return to play protocols, to continuously test and take the necessary precautions,” concluded Mbele.
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