Former Orlando Pirates defender Edward Motale is surprised the Sea Robbers opted to release players who he feels have what it takes to help the team during the busy 2024/25 season.
Pirates parted ways with seven experienced stars among them, Kermit Erasmus, Thabang Monare, Richard Ofori, Siyabonga Mpontshane, and Fortune Makaringe in their bid to rebuild. Bucs will be domestically competing for the Premier Soccer League, the Nedbank Cup, MTN8, and Carling Knockout.
The Jose Riveiro-led team will also play in the Caf Champions League and possibly the African Football League which might be expanded to 24 teams from eight in the debut season.
Did Riveiro make a mistake? Ex-defender concedes decision ‘came as a surprise'
The 57-year-old feels it wasn't logical to let experienced players leave the Soweto giants with the many competitions coming.
“You know it is hard to comment or say what happened with the players that the team released, we don't know why they did this,” Motale told SNL24.
“You can't release the players that you will need when playing in so many different tournaments. To do well in all these competitions we needed to have a well-balanced squad with experienced players like Erasmus and [Monare]. I don't know why they released players who we still needed at least for the season looking at the competitions we will be involved in,” he continued.
“Truly speaking it came as a surprise. Maybe it was time for them to move on to new challenges in their football life. As a team, we still needed their services, mainly players like Kermit Erasmus and Thabang Monare. Their experience would have been vital playing in Africa.”
Chiefs urged to go for Erasmus – ‘He is good enough for Amakhosi'
Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye is convinced 33-year-old Erasmus can be a factor at Amakhosi. Khanye argues the midfielder has the quality needed to help the Glamour Boys who are set to make massive changes in the next couple of days.
‘I would love to see him signing for Kaizer Chiefs, But Chiefs might not want to because they might look at his age because in South Africa, once you are 34, 35, they label you that you can’t play anymore,” he told iDiski TV.
“I don’t understand where this comes from because there are top players who are still playing for their countries at 36, 37 and they are still scoring. [Cristiano] Ronaldo scored two goals now for Portugal. He is 38 turning 39, the same age as me, but he is still wearing the armband for Portugal and scoring.
“So why not Kermit at the age of [33]? For me, he is still good enough to play for Kaizer Chiefs. I think Chiefs should sign him as well.”
Vilakazi seconds Khanye – Amakhosi need a leader like Erasmus
Pirates legend Benedict Vilakazi believes the Glamour Boys lack leadership, and Erasmus can provide just that.
I think a team like Kaizer Chiefs need players like him that can come in and be leaders because when you look at Chiefs they lack leadership in that team,” he told the aforementioned outlet.
“Chiefs can get Kermit Erasmus and allow him to play, give him support. I know there will be questions that you can’t ask this much, while you were not playing but that will be a debate between him and the team.
“But I can advise him to consider a pay cut if need be while setting targets and deadlines to be able to earn a full salary.”
Chiefs are closer to getting a new coach who will dictate proceedings at Naturena.
