Chippa United favourites to Bongani Sam on loan from Orlando Pirates

The 25-year-old spent the past season away from the Buccaneers, spending the first six months at Maritzburg United before joining Swallows FC to help them avoid relegation and finish in the top-eight in the second half of the campaign. 

Sam found his form in the 10 games for the Dube Birds under coach Musa Nyatama, and it was always the understanding he would return to Pirates to be assessed by coach Jose Riveiro during pre-season. 

However, SABC Sport understands a decision has been made to allow the 25-year-old full-back to continue getting regular minutes elsewhere, considering competition in the left-back position at Bucs, where captain Innocent Maela, Paseka Mako, and more recently Deon Hotto vy for the left-back position. 

It’s emerged that Gqeberha is his likely destination, with coach Morgan Mammila, who worked alongside Nyatama at Swallows last season, keen to add him to his squad for the upcoming campaign. 

With the transfer window running from Saturday, 1 July until 31 August, there’s still a few more weeks to make a call on where exactly Sam will play next season.

Chippa have already announced one ex-Pirates player in winger Craig Martin on a two-year deal this week. 

Martin joined the Soweto giants from Cape Town City in January but has already been released alongside striker Ndumiso Mabena, forward Ntsako Makhubela, goalkeeper Kopano Thuntsane, and midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu. 

The Buccaneers on Tuesday also confirmed the arrival of goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi (TS Galaxy), midfielder Siphelo Baloni (All Stars FC) as well as wingers Patrick Maswanganyi (SuperSport United) and Katlego Otladisa (Marumo Gallants).