Pirates eyeing Orbit star after impressing in local youth cup

Siyabulela Mabele, who plays for Orbit College, is said to be on the wanted list of Orlando Pirates after playing well at the Pirates Cup, a local youth tournament.

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Mabele was one of the most impressive players at the competition, and was voted as the Most Valuable Player, despite losing the final on penalties to Stars of Africa.

According to a source, many scouts and coaches who attended the tournament were impressed by the attacker, who has been identified as a player for the future.

Other than Pirates, TS Galaxy and several other teams want to see Mabele being part of their development structures and eventually playing in the top tier of the South African league.

“That boy is indeed a superstar, he is one of the best talents we have seen at the tournament and he will certainly be a Bafana Bafana player in the future. I know that the Pirates coaches love him and they are looking at talking to Orbit for him to play for them. But there are also other teams, so it’s going to be a very tight competition to sign him,” said a source.

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“He was not voted the MVP for nothing, he deserved it and he showed great leadership on the field for his team and helped them to reach the final. It is not really a surprise why all these teams want him. Galaxy are also interested and I spoke with some scouts who were at the tournament and they are going to do anything to try to get him. So, we will see what happens. But we have to remember that he is an Orbit player, and they also have a say.”

Pirates already have a product of Orbit College in their books in Monnapule Saleng, who began his football journey with the college club before making his way to the professional ranks and if he signs Mabele would be another player to join the Buccaneers from the club from North West.