Mathema to be offloaded?

The Daily Sun of Thursday, January 10, 2008 reports that Orlando Pirates will offload about 18 players this season so as to trim the Buccaneers squad to 30 players from 48. Said the Daily Sun, “Orlando Pirates coach Owen da Gama will use a big broom to sweep away 18 players from their overcrowded Buccaneers camp.”

Orlando Pirates is home to former Highlanders and Warriors hitman, Ralph Mathema. Mathema has not been seeing enough of action in the black and white strip of the Sea Robbers ever since he crossed the Limpopo in July last year. It will have to be seen whether “Banolila” (as he is affectionately known back home) will survive the chop given Pirates’ history of ill-treating foreigners.

Pirates are on record as having frustrated former CAPS United and Warriors roving mid fielder, Edelbert Dinha who ended up playing at the lower rungs of South African football, the Mvela league. Only time will tell whether Mathema will survive the chop. Daily Sun reports that da Gama has already identified players who are surplus to requirements and has submitted the list to chairman, Irvin Khoza for approval. Given the competition for Jerseys at Pirates, Mathema will have to pull up his socks if he is to remain at South Africa’s most successful club. The Buccaneers are leaving no stone unturned as they are preparing for the champions league, “the champions league has always been my dream. I have done it with Stars and hope I can do it with again with Bucs. The 100% training turnout was a good sign that players are committed,” said da Gama.

Pirates have one of the best strikers in South Africa, in Excellent Walaza who is making headlines hear because of his goal scoring prowess. Walaza has also been included in the Youthful Bafana Bafana squad which will do duty in Ghana next week.