Insider: Chabatsane’s Move to Pirates Happened at Speed

JOHANNESBURG – Orlando Pirates’ announcement on Tuesday confirming the signings of Marumo Gallants duo Daniel Msendami and defender Thabo Chabatsane caught many by surprise, especially after earlier indications suggested that Stellenbosch FC were the only club to have shown concrete interest.

An insider close to Chabatsane has now told The African Chronicle that the defender’s switch to the Soweto giants was concluded at remarkable speed, with the deal only finalised on Monday and the players travelling to Johannesburg early on Tuesday morning.

“It happened very quickly, with very little information,” the source said. “When we spoke on Monday, I genuinely didn’t know anything because even then, the bookings for them to travel to Johannesburg were being made. I only found out today (Tuesday) that the players were already there.”

The sudden nature of the move explains why there had been confusion around Chabatsane’s future in the days leading up to Pirates’ official announcement.

Chabatsane’s agent, Pontsho Madumo of Cream Sports, played down the speed of the deal, saying the focus was now on the opportunity the player has earned.

“What matters most is that the player has joined Orlando Pirates,” Madumo said. “We are happy with the move and the way Pirates handled the situation. We appreciate the opportunity they have given us.”

Madumo added that while Chabatsane has been widely tipped as a replacement for the departed Mbekezeli Mbokazi, the move should be seen as the beginning of a new chapter rather than a like-for-like succession.

“People say he is replacing Mbokazi, but this is about a young player starting his journey at Pirates,” he said. “He is coming in to compete and to grow, even with players like Mbokazi at the national team level, as a centre-back.”

The 23-year-old defender, who studied at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), has featured in 13 Betway Premiership matches for Marumo Gallants this season. Before that, he turned out for JDR Stars in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, earning his move to Gallants ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Strong performances in the top flight have seen Chabatsane attract interest from several Gauteng-based Premiership clubs, but it is Pirates who have moved decisively to secure his services.