It’s been long since I shared something meaningful with you but it was not because of weaning passion for the game but rather personal and unfortunate circumstances that forced me to take my time and deal with those unforseen challenges. If few years or a month ago one told me that one day Orlando Pirates will play a cup final and won’t have write anything about, would have disagreed emphatically but life keeps on teaching us that there are more important things in life than we think especially something we easily neglect like our health. In the last three weeks had to bury my uncle and cousin and those were not just family members but people that took part of me with them and needed to take my time and I didn’t even watch the final.

I’m still passionate about the game and my club and it’s been good sharing my passion with you over the last few years and by God’s grace, I hope to regain my strength to continue because I have a family in you as you encouraging word, rebuke, disagreements helped me to grow in various aspects and I can only hope that I will come back strong and continue but if it happens that life forces me to drop my pen to focus on other pressing issues, I will make it clear officially in this platform. Apart from losing people very close to me, there are few things developing that one would like to engage on and that could take more time from me so I will be honest with you when everything it’s clear. Have a wonderful festive season and take care of yourselves.

Orlando Pirates Football Club proved that their last minute persuit of New Zealand striker Andre De Jong on the last day of the transfer window was not an emotional act even though the deal didn’t go through at that particular moment. According to reliable sources in the South African football journalist crew, have reported that the club has secured the services of the Stellies attacker with some reporting that it’s only personal terms between that player and the club that needs to be agreed.

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team has leadership in defence and midfield but up top, that’s where they have been very thin with regards to leadership and in DE Jong, Bucs got themselves a leader, playmaker and experienced forward who will bring versatility in the attack of the team due to his ability to lead the line as well as playing in a withdrawn role in the hole. The former Royal AM forward’s ability to drop deeper and allow runners to go beyond him fits in perfectly with the offensive schemes of the team because lot of goals comes from wingers who are using their speed to break the last line of defence by exploit the space in behind. Evidence Makgopa has been the only forward who has consistently dropped deeper, pulled wide to allow runners get into dangerous positions and it’s exactly that De Jong has been doing at the cape Winelands side with my favorite Devin Titus being the biggest beneficiary.

I’m very happy that despite good performances and results so far this season especially in the league, the management still saw the need of De Jong because and that shows that they have a specific role for him in the team. It’s not a secret that the chances of Orlando Pirates Football Club winning the league are more realistic this season especially if they continue to produce sustained period of productivity that they shown so far this season and bringing in Andre shows they need his experience, leadership and goals. I salute the management for this good piece of business because this could prove to be the difference they needed in winning the league. Andre De Jong will officially join Bucs in January.