DURBAN – Chippa United utility player Abel Mabaso is believed to have penned a three-year deal with Orlando Pirates.
Independent Media has been reliably informed by a high-placed source that Mabaso will be donning the black-and-white of the Buccaneers come next season.
Mabaso (27) can operate as a right back or central midfielder.
“Mabaso has signed for Pirates. He penned a three-year deal. He signed it today (Monday). It is a done deal. Pirates bought him from Chippa United because he was still contracted at the club,” the source confirmed.
Mabaso made his professional debut in 2012 when Sundowns demolished Kaizer Chiefs 4-1 in the MTN8 quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld.
He has also represented Ajax Cape Town and Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Pirates are reported to be also interested in the services of Chippa United midfield maestro Linda Mntambo.
According to some media reports, the club has already secured the services of the Chilli Boys left back Paseka Mako as well.
Pirates administration manager, Floyd Mbele, couldn’t confirm nor deny the signing of Mabaso.
“I don’t know. I’m not at the office. I will be back at the office on Wednesday or Thursday,” Mbele briefly stated.
Mabaso's manager, Vusi Mthembu, denied that they have signed with Pirates.
“It is not true that Mshumba (Mabaso) has signed for Pirates. The boy is still contracted to Chippa United. I don’t know whether you got that from.
“If anyone is interested in him, they must get hold of Chippa United. We need to respect the fact that he is still contracted to Chippa.
“Yes, I’m at the airport (OR Tambo International Airport), but I wasn’t here to sign for Mabaso. I was here for other business,” Mthembu elaborated as he was about to catch a plane to Durban.
Pirates finished second last season and they will be competing in the Caf Champions League next season.
An attempt to get hold of Chippa United marketing and communications manager, Luthando Zibeko, proved futile as his phone rang unanswered.
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