Cearense 1. Div. playoff Overview

With a Premier Soccer League title defence and a top tier continental campaign to fight, the Buccaneers have started re-shaping their squad to prepare for the upcoming season. The latest announcement follows the already reported exits of Relebohile Mofokeng, Bandile Shandu, Sipho Mbule, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Karim Kimvuidi and Gilberto, meaning an astonishing 13 players from their treble-winning squad have left before the new season begins.

With multiple media outlets reporting the youngster is finalising a deal to move to Belgium champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Blues legend Salomon Kalou has thrown his weight behind the 21-year-old, insisting the youngster has the quality and technical ability to thrive in any European league.

In the immediate aftermath of their league title win, the Buccaneers’ boss cast doubt over his long-term future at the club after admitting that the emotional and physical toll of the job had left him "tired" and needing time to reflect before committing to the project for another season. But now Buccaneers fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief following reports that the Moroccan tactician will stay on to build on his domestic success by conquering the continent.

Buccaneers fans face the daunting prospect of losing their crown jewel after the 21-year-old's mother made it clear that a move abroad is the ultimate priority and his family believes now the time is right for him to test himself in Europe.