JOHANNESBURG - Orlando Pirates have dismissed suggestions they committed a mistake by loaning out Gift Motupa to Baroka FC.
Motupa has been one of the shining stars in the Absa Premiership so far this season and has already scored five goals. He was loaned out at the start of the season after spending most of his time on the Buccaneers bench last season.
Despite the striker's good vein of form at Baroka, Pirates administrative manager Floyd Mbele denied they were kicking themselves for not having kept him in their squad.
“It is not a mistake. You can’t use the word mistake because we have loaned players before. We’ve loaned Thabo Rakhale to Polokwane City and Thembinkosi Lorch to Chippa United. It was a conscious decision by the club. The main reason to loan players is for them to gain confidence and get game time,” Mbele elaborated.
But Pirates have struggled for goals and have a measly 10 from 14 matches, with Thamsanqa Gabuza their top scorer with three strikes.
Asked if they will be tempted to bring Motupa back to try and solve their scoring problem, Mbele responded: “That will depend on the coach. I can say I want to bring him back, only to find out that the coach has a different view.
“I cannot pre-empt what will happen. Next week we will have a meeting with the technical team, where we will review the first round and discuss our plans going forward.”
Pirates were very busy in the June transfer window. They signed Musa Nyatama, Wayne Sandilands and Justin Shonga.
They also brought back Justice Chabalala and Innocent Maele, who were on loan at Chippa United and Thanda Royal Zulu respectively last season.
“The January transfer window is a very tricky window. It is a willing-seller, willing-buyer transfer period.
“But as a club, we are always looking and if there’s something interesting available, we will look at it. We will wait for the recommendation of the technical team next week,” Mbele elaborated.
Pirates are away at Goble Park to take on Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership match on Saturday evening (kickoff 6pm).