Ex-Pirates striker welcomes the return of Mabena

The return of Ndumiso Mabena to Orlando Pirates might have taken many by surprise, especially looking at the age of the striker, but there are still many who believe that Mabena has what it takes to play a huge role at the Buccaneers, like former player James Mothibi.

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Mabena, who is 35-years old, has rejoined Pirates after a lengthy trial with the team following his departure from Royal AM.

Mothibi is adamant that Mabena will come in very handy for the Sea Robbers and he says chairman Irvin Khoza and the rest of the Bucs management are building a formidable team to compete for everything in the DStv Premiership.

“As an ex-player, I care about management and the supporters of the club. A person who crushes (criticises) any signing by the management it means you are disrespecting Orlando Pirates as a whole,” Mothibi told Phakaaathi.

“I don’t have any right to crush the signing of Mabena, or any other player. I am going to welcome him like I have always welcomed all the players at Pirates.”

“He has experience, he scored before at Pirates and he went on to score goals while he was at other clubs. One thing is that, once people don’t like you, that’s when you perform to your level best. You make sure that you close their mouth. I just wish him all the best, he has good coaches, management and I believe our chairman Irvin Khoza is building a very strong team.”

Mabena signed a one-and-a-half season deal with the Soweto giants. He was signed along with winger Craign Martin, who joined the club from Cape Town City.

Mabena is back at Orlando after the club also re-signed Kermit Erasmus, who joined the club at the beginning of the current season from Mamelodi Sundowns.