AmaZulu keen to keep Orlando Pirates defender Thembela Sikhakhane

AmaZulu FC  have confirmed that they are looking to sign Orlando Pirates defender Thembela Sikhakhane on a permanent basis.

The 25-year-old right-back spent the 2017/18 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season on loan at Usuthu from the Buccaneers.

Sikhakhane enjoyed game time at the KwaZulu-Natal club, making 20 appearances in all competitions, helping them retain their top flight status. 

AmaZulu general manager Qedi Dlamini has now disclosed they are negotiating with Pirates regarding the possibility of keeping Sikhakhane for the 2018/19 campaign.

“The team will return for pre-season on the 18th of June,” Dlamini told  IOL. 

“We are still talking to Orlando Pirates about retaining the services of Thembela Sikhakhane. Boalefa Pule will be returning to SuperSport United,” he continued.

The club official also revealed that they have parted way with former Kaizer Chiefs Centre forward Camaldine Abraw. 

The Togo international was signed by AmaZulu on a six month contract in January 2018. Usuthu had an option to renew for two seasons at the end of the campaign.

However, the KwaZulu-Natal side has decided against renewing Abraw’s contract with the player having made only five league appearances without scoring a single goal.

"The club had an option to renew the contract of Abraw but we've decided not to exercise the option," Dlamini said.

“We expected goals from him as a striker but that didn't happened,” he explained.

AmaZulu would have extended the former Free State Stars striker’s contract if he had netted at least eight goals for the team.

“If he had scored 8 goals we would have seriously considered renewing his contract. We wish him all the best in his future,” he said.

The club is said to have lined up a replacement for Abraw as they have reportedly signed Argentine striker Emiliano Tade from Auckland City in New Zealand.

Usuthu are also known to have signed Nhlanhla Vilakazi from Free State Stars and Moeneeb Josephs from Bidvest Wits.