Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Mngomeni believes Orlando Pirates need to have a good replacement on hand if they allow Issa Sarr to leave the club.
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The Senegalese's contract with the Sea Robbers expires at the end of the season and, amid reported interest from Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Mngomeni has said that Pirates need to make sure there is another player of similar quality who can fulfil his current role in the team.
"To let go a player of that calibre, you need to have a back-up plan," he told Soccer Laduma.
"Hopefully they've got somebody who can replace him, because, at the moment, I think he is an anchor, or a pillar, in the middle of the park."
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Mngomeni added that he thinks the midfielder is doing a good job with the Buccaneers and that his replacement must be capable of dealing with the pressure that comes with playing for the Soweto giants.
"He's someone who's doing well for the team, but I'm sure they've got someone who can maybe replace him, but I doubt they can come in and fit in with the pressures that are there in the Orlando Pirates team," Mngomeni concluded.
Should Sarr leave the club, Pirates could turn to Edwin Gyimah, who has played mostly as a centre back this season, or perhaps Gladwin Shitolo, who has spent only 109 minutes on the pitch this campaign after returning from his loan spell at Golden Arrows.
Lehlogonolo Masalesa could suit the role, but has not been registered with the club at this point, and has also been linked with an exit.
