PSL rumours: Orlando Pirates say talented R15 million star isn’t for sale
Strength in depth or cash in?
Orlando Pirates will have to manage their squad with several players worried they might not get regular minutes.
Deano Van Rooyen adds tackling quality to the Orlando Pirates defence
Pirates recently wrapped up a move for 27-year-old Deano Van Rooyen from Stellenbosch. It’s a bold play, given he was the Stellies skipper and a key pillar for them. The full-back positions on both sides have become a problem for Pirates in the last two campaigns. Van Rooyen’s defensive acumen is obvious; he completed the most tackles (57) of any player in the top flight last term. That’s an average of 2.11 per game. He’s also a virtual ever-present in the league, missing only nine matches in the last four completed campaigns (111/120). How many players in the PSL possess such a level of consistency and durability? Almost none.
Monyane is a banker for now, and the future
Monyane is also a relative veteran with 84 appearances in a Buccaneers jersey, including three goals and three assists. German website transfermarkt values him at €750 (R15 million) which seems a fair number for a guy who’s got the best years of his career ahead of him. There were recent rumours that he was on the brink of signing brand-new terms with the Sea Robbers, so it would be a shock if the club let him go at this juncture.
SoccerLaduma mentioned that Stellenbosch wanted to sign Thabiso Monyane as a makeweight but Pirates have other ideas:
“There’s been talk but that’s not the plan for Pirates. He (Monyane) is in the plans, because if you remember Shandu is coming back from injury and the games are coming thick and fast for the team.”
New Betway Prem campaign can’t come soon enough
The 2024-2025 season gets underway on Saturday 14 September. Defending champions Sundowns host SuperSport United while Royal AM vs Cape Town City is the other early match on the opening day. Kaizer Chiefs are away to Marumo Gallants while Orlando Pirates host Chippa. Polokwane City meets AmaZulu and Sekhukhune welcomes promoted Magesi FC to round out the action on Saturday. Sunday’s fixtures are Richards Bay vs TS Galaxy and Stellies vs Golden Arrows. Pirates also have two legs of an MTN8 semi-final against Cape Town City, and they’re advanced to the next Caf Champions League qualifying phase after getting past Disciples. They next meet the winner between Jwaneng Galaxy and African Stars.
Do you think Pirates can afford to let Monyane go?
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Orlando Pirates finished the 2023-2024 DStv Premiership campaign in second place, earning a spot in the 2024-2025 Caf Champions League. Jose Riveiro’s team also won two major honours, beating Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 finals. Riveiro’s mandate will be to dethrone Sundowns and deliver the first top-flight league title for the Buccaneers fans since 2012.