Pirates defender set for Chippa switch

Chippa United are in advanced talks with Orlando Pirates for the transfer of utility player Wayde Jooste before the start of the season, SABC Sport has established.

The 30-year-old joined the Buccaneers from Highlands Park two campaigns ago and made an immediate impact under Josef Zinnbauer, but hardly played during the 2021/22 term as he was overlooked by co-coaches Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi.

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Jooste only managed a handful of games in the DStv Premiership and a total of 11 in all competitions, compared to the 28 he amassed in his debut season.

According to information gathered by SABC Sport, the Buccaneers are keen to offload Jooste and the Gqeberha outfit are the front runners to sign him - whether that™s a loan spell or a permanent move remains to be seen.

The player is in the final year of his contract at the Soweto outfit.

Chippa and Pirates have a solid relationship, which has seen the two clubs recently agree and confirm the transfers of striker Bienvenu Eva Nga and midfielder Azola Matrose, as the Buccaneers look to shake things up again.

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It now appears as though Pirates will return the favour and allow Jooste to join the Chilli Boys to beef up the side that on Monday confirmed Daine Klate as their permanent coach to replace Gavin Hunt, who was sacked in December and temporarily succeeded by Kurt Lentjies.

To date, Bucs have made six new signings: Eva Nga, Matrose, Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Miguel Timm and Evidence Makgopa, while they have also released a long list of players that includes Thulani Hlatshwayo, Linda Mntambo and Tshegofatso Mabasa.

By Mazola Molefe