Pirates and Chippa set to agree loan deal for Siphelo Baloni

It’s understood the paperwork should be finalised before the end of the week, with the 24-year-old searching for regular game time in the Betway Premiership and poised to get more minutes in Gqeberha.

Baloni signed for the Soweto giants from National First Division outfit All Stars in June last year, but his maiden campaign with the Buccaneers did not see him feature as often as had been anticipated.

With coach Jose Riveiro only using the midfielder 13 times throughout the season, a loan move is now being discussed with Chippa where Baloni is likely to come out of his shell a lot more under Kwanele Kopo.

The Chilli Boys had a Pirates midfielder on loan during the 2023/24 campaign in Goodman Mosele, but he has since returned to his parent club – although the Bafana Bafana international is yet to be part of the squad so far.

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Pirates have already been involved in five matches that include three MTN8 games, making it to yet another final next month, as well as the early rounds of the CAF Champions League.

Baloni was only once named in the match day squad when the Buccaneers beat SuperSport United in the quarterfinals of the MTN8.

Chippa have been one of the busier clubs in the transfer market ahead of the league getting underway this weekend, and they now look set to add Baloni to a side that ironically begins their campaign with an away match to Pirates.

The two teams face off at Orlando Stadium on 18 September.