Rumours Fly That Orlando Pirates Defender Thulani Hlatshwayo Might Leave the Buccaneers After Poor Run of Form

• Orlando Pirates hardman Thulani Hlatshwayo's days might be over at the Buccaneers according to rumours
• After arriving at the club to much fanfare in 2020, the 32-year-old centre-back has struggled to cement a spot in the team after a string of howlers
• Hlatshwayo might be sent to Golden Arrows for a straight swap with Abafana Besithende's Nkosinathi Sibisi

Orlando Pirates central defender Thulani Hlatshwayo might just walk the plank at the Buccaneers.

The 32-year-old former Bafana Bafana defender arrived at the club in 2020 in the wake of Bidvest Wits' disbandment. He was seen as the answer to the club's perennially troublesome defensive woes.

He had been quoted by News24 as always dreaming of playing for the Sea Robbers. However, The Citizen reported that Hlatshwayo has fallen out of favour after a nightmarish run of poor form with the team, seeing his involvement diminishing as a result.

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An unnamed source told the newspaper:

“His contract will not be renewed. The club had the option to extend for another year but they have not done so as yet. He has gone down the pecking order and is unlikely to get a chance anytime soon.”

Hlatshwayo last played for Bafana in the early part of 2020, before new coach Hugo Broos started leaving him out of the squad entirely as his performances dipped. Up to that point, he had been a permanent fixture in the national team.

What has also complicated Hlatshwayo's attempts to get back into the starting Pirates XI has been the arrival of Olisa Ndah. The Nigerian has proved to be a revelation in hardening the defence, resulting in him being selected for the Super Eagles' recent campaign at the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

Another source told the publication that Hlatshwayo could be swapped with Golden Arrows' Nkosinathi Sibisi.

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Have Chiefs' Itumeleng Khune and Pirates Gabadinho Mhango played their last ever Soweto derbies?

Itumeleng Khune and Gabadinho Mhango have been key for their clubs in the past, but have played very little this season and it's questionable where their futures lie.

As reported by Sports Brief, the pair had both seemingly increased their chances of game-time after some positive performances in January.

In Mhango's case, he played a starring role, including a couple of brilliant goals, as he helped Malawi reach the last 16 at AFCON.