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Orlando Pirates have completed their fifth signing of the transfer window, and the player comes from Dondol Stars as reported on The South African this week.
Goalkeeper Sphamandla Gumede has penned a three-year deal with Pirates, and this was confirmed by Dondol Stars chairman Lordwick Makhura.
In an interview with Phakaaathi, Makhura revealed how he fought tooth and nail to have Gumede play for Dondol Stars when Richards Bay FC wanted him to play for their Diski Challenge team.
And this was last year, and Makhura feels vindicated that Gumede is today joining Pirates as he’s always believed that he’s too good for the reserve side football.
Now, reports suggest that Gumede could be loaned out by Pirates ahead of next season as the club already has four experienced goalkeepers.
As things stand, Pirates have Siyabonga Mpontshane, Sipho Chaine, Richards Ofori and new signing Melusi Buthelezi in their goalkeeping department.
Furthermore, Makhura rubbished initial reports that Gumede was actually supposed to join SuperSport United, saying only Pirates showed huge interest.
ORLANDO PIRATES SNAP UP YOUNG DONDOL STARS GOALKEEPER
“We’re very proud of Sphamandla Gumede, last season he was supposed to join the Richards Bay DDC team but I had to fight his parents,” Makhura revealed to Phakaaathi.
“They wanted his clearance and I refused until they brought him back to us because we kept on saying he’s too good to be hidden in the DDC league. We wanted him to play in the ABC Motsepe league because he would be challenged more and that’s when teams will come for his signature.
“We are vindicated for that because Orlando Pirates is one of the biggest teams in the country and giving him a contract says a lot. We’re proud because it is a direct move from ABC Motsepe league to Pirates and it’s good for the boy and our brand as a club.
“The thing the about SuperSport United (link), remember some journalists fabricate stories. Remember Sphamandla is from the academy of SuperSport but the only confirmation I got was from Orlando Pirates because they contacted us for his clearance and confirmed that they have given him a contract but with other teams I don’t know, it might have been hearsay.”