Orlando Pirates have reportedly triumphed over rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the race to sign SuperSport United star Kegan Johannes.
The Soweto giants were both linked with the 23 year old defender however the latest reports suggest Jose Riveiro’s side have won the race.
Despite his young age, Johannes already has over 70 top flight appearances to his name.
The speedy fullback made a name for himself at Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) before joining SuperSport United in 2021.
Now, reports suggest Kegan Johannes will join Orlando Pirates next season to bolster their defence, at the expense of Kaizer Chiefs.
Kaizer Chiefs linked Johannes to join Pirates?
According to Soccer Laduma, Kaizer Chiefs were closely monitoring Johannes ahead of a potential move to Naturena. That however won’t be the case, according to the latest reports!
“SuperSport United defender Kegan Johannes is on his way to join Orlando Pirates next season,” a Sportswire report read.
“Pirates are aiming to strengthen their squad for their upcoming CAF club competition campaign next season, having secured qualification through their Nedbank Cup final appearance against Mamelodi Sundowns on 1 June at Mbombela Stadium.
“As Sportswire has been told the deal is done, Johannes would be joining the club he scored against in a DStv Premiership match at Orlando Stadium in March 2022.”
In other news, former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Ntokozo Sikhakhane has urged the club to release one of their struggling midfielders.
Sikhakhane, a midfielder who wore the Amakhosi jersey between 2005 and 2007, believes Siyethemba Sithebe should return to his former club, AmaZulu.
Sithebe joined the Glamour Boys at the beginning of last season; however, he’s struggled to get going at the mighty Amakhosi.
With a cloud of uncertainty hovering over his Kaizer Chiefs career, Sikhakhane believes Sithebe simply isn’t good enough for the Glamour Boys.
Chiefs urged to release Sithebe
“They can release him. In games that he has played for Kaizer Chiefs, there’s nothing special he has done,” Sikhakhane told FARPost.
“And I still believe that he’s not the top midfielder; he’s just a player. But because Chiefs, they just sign any player. Once you shine at Santos, they bring you in; once you shine at AmaZulu, they bring you.
“They don’t look at whether you’re going to fit in their style or in their structure. So, for Sithebe, he hasn’t been playing for two years, and he can’t prove himself in the last ten games. What was he doing all along? I think he’d do well at AmaZulu. I’d advise him to go back.”
Final three Kaizer Chiefs fixtures revealed
The Glamour Boys are next in action on 12 May when they face AmaZulu FC away from home.
A week later, Chiefs host Polokwane City before travelling to the Mother City to face Cape Town Spurs on 25 May.
