Orlando Pirates on Tuesday announced midfielders Sifiso Myeni and Thandani Ntshumayelo as their new signings on the final day of the mid-season transfer window.
Both players penned three-year contracts after the club had hired three additional players in January, including last week's signing of veteran former Portugal midfielder Luis Boa Morte.
“We are proud to have the players (Myeni and Ntshumayelo) in our team, and welcome them to Pirates,” said chairman Irvin Khoza, at a last minute press conference in Houghton.
“We know Myeni has an injury (a broken leg) but he will recover soon enough.
“Ntshumayelo is also a good player and we hope he will gel with the team.”
Khoza also confirmed the appointments of Golden Arrows striker Njabulo Manqana and wingback Thabo Matlaba from Free State Stars, who were both present at the announcement.
The “Iron Duke” felt the five new players would give some balance to an already formidable squad, while also planning for the future.
“They are young players and we wanted a 'generation mix' in the squad, with a good balance of youth and experience,” Khoza said.
Myeni, 23, is a pacy winger on the verge of Bafana Bafana
selection, recruited from Bidvest Wits.
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns were both interested in the player but, according to Khoza, Pirates had been talking to the player since December.
Myeni, who will miss the next two months of action, said it was his dream to turn out for one of the country's leading outfits.
“It's an honour to join Pirates. It has always been my dream to play for one of the two big club,” Myeni said.
“I know it won't be easy to get into the team but I am prepared to fight for a place in the line-up.”
Ntshumayelo, 24, who has been with SuperSport United since he was 12, was part of an exchange deal for winger Sameehg Doutie who moves the other way.
Ntshumayelo said he was prepared to fight for a starting spot with the Buccaneers, while adding that he was grateful to United.
“I am what I am now because of SuperSport,” he said.
“But I'm very happy to be at Pirates. It's a big team that attracts big crowds, and I'm determined to do well for the team.”
Pirates' first league match, when the Premiership resumes, is against Black Leopards on February 15.
They kick off their Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League campaign four days later.
The five players cannot be registered for the continental club competition's opening rounds as Pirates had already submitted their list of players to Caf. – Sapa