Gone? Orlando Pirates midfielder Karim Kimvuidi appears in Israel, plays 90 minutes as SC Ashdod fall to Hapoel Tel Aviv

Orlando Pirates fans were left tongue-tied when their midfielder Karim Kimvuidi made a shocking appearance in Israel over the weekend.

Kimvuidi appeared in SC Ashdod's starting line-up for a cup game against Hapoel Tel Aviv on August 9 as his side fell to a 2-0 defeat. Against Hapoel, the midfielder played for 90 minutes.

The most shocking part of it is the 23-year-old had been named in Pirates' official 34-man squad for the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season.

Reports indicate that the DR Congo midfielder left for Israel four days ago to link up with Ashdod.

Kimvuidi was signed by Bucs from Maritzburg United in 2023 but did not fully establish himself as a regular starter under Jose Riveiro.

He made 15 appearances for Pirates in all competitions, of which eight were in the league.

Since he had fallen down the pecking order, Kimvuidi had already been linked with an exit, and reports emerged that the Algerian side JS Kabylie were interested in him.

His sudden disappearance from Pirates and appearance in Israel has been greeted with similar shock, if not equal to what was experienced by the fans when Mohau Nkota's exit was confirmed.

The Bafana Bafana forward joined Al-Ettifaq Club of Saudi Arabia last month when Pirates were in pre-season in Spain, at a time when there was not much speculation around his future.

What now remains is an announcement regarding Kimvuidi from either Pirates or the Israeli club.

Fans will be eager to know whether the midfielder left on loan, on a permanent transfer, or is on trial with Ashdod.