Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, two Soweto rivals, may end up competing for the services of a young goalkeeper.
There are plenty of top-notch choices for the Chiefs to think about this season in their keeper ranks, including Bruce Bvuma, Itumeleng Khune and Brandon Petersen.
There has recently been speculation that Bvuma may be locked into contract discussions, but an intriguing story on Phakaaathi earlier this month said he may actually be “sacrificed” as the team considers maybe bringing in a new shot-stopper.
According to other reports, Pirates are also leaving their options open with regard to their goalkeeper stocks for the upcoming campaign.
According to appearances, the star goalie Richard Ofori’s contract with the Buccaneers has not yet been finalized, and veteran Siyabonga Mpontshane is also expected to be released.
With all of this in mind, an intriguing report in the most recent issue of Soccer Laduma says that Pirates have joined Chiefs in the potential pursuit of Jamal Salim, a shot-stopper from Richards Bay who is 27 years old.
A few clubs are reportedly interested in the Ugandan goalkeeper, but any suitor would supposedly need to be prepared to spend a sizable sum on a costly buyout provision in his contract.
“There’s a buyout clause of R8-million from what I understand,” a source commented. “It’s Chiefs and Pirates (who are interested).”
The report that follows makes for interesting reading, however it is still unclear whether anything will come of this.