iReport South Africa News discusses Bucs’ reported top targets with the club expected to beef up its squad at the end of the current campaign
#1 Richard Ofori – Maritzburg United
The Buccaneers are expected to make changes in their ageing goalkeeping department with Siyabonga Mpontshane having fallen out of favour, while Joris Delle has failed to impress.
Ghana’s first-choice keeper Ofori, who has established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the PSL, has constantly been linked with a move to Pirates since the end of last season.
#2 Rushine De Reuck – Maritzburg United
The Soweto giants were known to be in the market for a central defender during the January transfer window and their interest in Thulani Hlatshwayo cooled off after the Bidvest Wits captain signed a new deal with the Students.
Since then Pirates have reportedly identified De Reuck as a target ahead of the next transfer window with the young central defender having impressed with his consistent displays in the Maritzburg defence.
#3 Siyanda Xulu – Maritzburg United
The former Kaizer Chiefs defender, whose contract with Maritzburg is set to expire in June 2020, has been in and out of the team’s starting line-up this season with De Reuck and Nazeer Allie preferred ahead of him.
However, Pirates are said to be keen admirers of the Bafana Bafana international, who would bring some needed experience in the Bucs’ defence which has relied too much on the ageing Happy Jele.
#4 Sogne Yacouba – Asante Kotoko
The Burkina Faso international was constantly linked with a big transfer to Pirates from Asante Kotoko since last year, with the Ghanaian giants having reportedly rejected an offer from Bucs.
The forward’s agent has recently confirmed that the player will be leaving Kotoko as a free agent after failing to agree to a new deal with the club. He has also been linked with Lamontville Golden Arrows.
#5 Bonginkosi Ntuli – AmaZulu FC
The former Mamelodi Sundowns striker is another player who has been on the radar of the Buccaneers since last year, but the interest is said to have cooled off after Pirates signed Tshegofatso Mabasa from Bloemfontein Celtic.
Ntuli has been near unstoppable in front of goal this season having netted 12 league goals and Bucs are reportedly set to make a move for the experienced marksman in the next transfer window.