I understood why Pirates offer was declined – Grobler

Bradley Grobler’s move to Orlando Pirates was one of the most anticipated during the recently closed transfer window but it never happened and he stayed with SuperSport United and he says he is happy and would also have been happy with the move.

The 31-year-old striker told the media shortly after being awarded as the Player of the Month for August that he understood and respected the club’s stance to hold on to him.

READ: Pirates given short shrift on Grobler – for now

Pirates were understood to have sold Thamsanqa Gabuza and Kudakwashe Mahachi as a way to try and soften Matsatsantsa’s management so they can release Grobler.

“I wouldn’t say anything went wrong,” he said about the proposed move. “Pirates made an approach to SuperSport but the club were adamant that I am not going anywhere in this transfer window. Coach Kaitano (Tembo) believes in me and he knows that I know the way we play and he asked them not to let me go. As a player I respect that, I appreciate that. I have started the season extremely well and I can’t be disappointed,” he added.

He said the failed move didn’t impact him negatively at all but rather served as motivation for him to work even harder as he has scored four goals in the Absa Premiership and one in the MTN8.

“If anything, mentally it motivated me. Yes it would have been a huge honour to play for Pirates because they are a massive team in South African football, but at the same time I am happy at SuperSport. I am enjoying my football. The club has been good to me. I always looked at it in a positive way. If I went to a team like Pirates I was going to be happy, if I stayed at SuperSport I am happy.

“For me it was never a negative thing and my mentality was always positive. I was going to be happy whatever happened. After lengthy injuries I have endured I am happy just to play football,” he said.

Pirates have struggled up front with just three goals scored so far this season but Grobler could not be drawn into saying if he would have been a solution to Bucs’ scoring woes.

“There is no way of saying that if I was there I would be helping them. It’s a difficult one, Pirates are a good team but they went through a bit of a rocky patch when their coach left. There is no doubt they are a good team, they have a good squad with players who can score and it is only a matter of time before they come right.

“I have had a few discussions to the club as to what could happen in the future. There were offers that came on the last day of the transfer window that were interesting, but right now I need to focus on playing for SuperSport. My mind is not anywhere else but SuperSport and just playing and looking after myself.”

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