Boa Morte joins Pirates

Orlando Pirates boss Irvin Khoza has confirmed the signing of Luis Boa Morte on an 18-month deal.

Morte, an ex-Portuguese international, previously turned out for Arsenal and West Ham United in the UK.

The 34-year old won the English Premier League in 1998 with Arsenal and reunites with ex-West Ham teammate Benni McCarthy at the club.

Boa Morte was until recently in the books of Greek club, Larrissa but his contract was reportedly terminated at the European club and McCarthy convinced him to come down to South Africa.

Khoza says: "I must thank Benni McCarthy, who made me aware of the desire of Luis to play for Pirates… He is now owned by the spiritual owners of the team."

Boa Morte says: "I'm happy to be here to continue my football career and hopefully I will remain here for many seasons as long as I'm fit." Kickoff

Downs make another offer for Myeni

In strange twist of events, Mamelodi Sundowns have made an offer to Bidvest Wits for the services of want-away midfielder Sifiso Myeni.

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“At Downs careers go down” – Myeni

Myeni has recently been reported to have attracted the interest of the so-called big teams, but Wits mentor Roger de Sa reveals big-spending Sundowns are the only club to have made an offer.

"Besides the Sundowns offer we have not received anything for the player," de Sa says, although he refuses to reveal the figures.

"He has been talking to them and it now depends on him whether he accepts the offer or not. We do not have a say on that one. However, he has been good and has been open with me regarding the discussions."

If it sails through, the move will be a surprise, considering Myeni's comments last year, when he told KickOff.com he was not contemplating a move to Downs:

"When you go to Sundowns your career goes down and I don't want to be one of the victims."

At the time, however, Sundowns were without a coach, and Myeni, perhaps wisely, also queried who was signing players at that stage: "For me it is better to go to a team where the coach wants you, not where team managers or bosses like you, because what will happen if the new coach comes and doesn’t like you?"

Myeni, who is returning to action after eight weeks of injury, and star left-back Patrick Phungwayo have been much speculated about during the January transfer window, but De Sa says they have not received an offer for the latter.

De Sa adds that other than Myeni and Phungwayo, Wits are not willing to sell any of their players.  Kickoff

Platinum Stars Loan Bucs Trio

Orlando Pirates have loaned three of their players to struggling PSL side Platinum Stars for the next six months, until the end of the season.

The three players are defender Lucas Thwala, striker Malawian international Chiukepo Msowoya and Patrick Malokase. A source at the club told the Siya crew that the deal was made possible with the help of former Pirates administrative manager, Floyd Mbele, who is now at Stars.

“I know Floyd (Mbele) played a major role as he has played a part in bringing mainly Msowoya and Malokase to Pirates so I think he has influenced their move as well. It is good for the players because they have not been playing at Pirates,” said the source.

Asked for comment, Mickey Modisane confirmed to the crew that the three players are out on loan to Platinum Stars.

“As a matter of fact they will be going to Rustenburg today to join Stars. We wish them all the best as that will help keep them fit. They are still Pirates players and by playing regularly for Platinum Stars it will help have a strong Pirates squad next season but now they have to help Stars as well,” Modisane concluded. Soccer Laduma

Ntuka stabbed to death

Former Kaizer Chiefs and South African Under-23 international, Jeffrey Ntuka, was stabbed to death in Kroonstad last night, Friday, January the 20th.

On hearing of the news, the Siya crew contacted Ntuka’s agent, Michael Hughes of Stellar Africa, who knew nothing of the stabbing at the time. Hughes subsequently got in touch with Ntuka’s wife who confirmed that her husband was stabbed to death in Kroonstad.

The details of the event are sketchy at the moment, with very little information coming out of Kroonstad. However, a police investigation is expected.

The defender was a well travelled footballer, having spent time at Chelsea in England whereafter he went on loan to Westerlo in Belgium. On returning to home soil from Europe, he turned out in the colours of Kaizer Chiefs before joining SuperSport United.

At the time of his death Ntuka was 26-years-old. Soccer-Laduma wish the Ntuka family our deepest condolences. Rest in peace Ntuka. Soccer Laduma