Former Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo parts ways with Orlando Pirates

Former Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has parted ways with Soweto giants Orlando Pirates.

The defender, formerly of Bidvest Wits and Ajax Cape Town, joined the club in 2020 and proceeded to help them win the MTN8, their first piece of silverware in nearly a decade.

However, that was followed by inconsistent performances for both club and country, with the former unit seeing Hlatshwayo experience a dip of form so bad, that it became impossible to pick him for the latter.

Hlatshwayo hardly featured for Pirates in what was an underwhelming 2021/22 season where they not only conceded league doubles to fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, but made little headway in cup competitions.

Outside of them finishing runners-up in the CAF Confederations Cup, they also finished sixth in the league.

The 32-year-old said on the club's website that he fulfilled a dream of playing for Pirates, but things haven't worked out the way he expected.

"My dream to wear the black and white jersey of Orlando Pirates has been fulfilled," Hlatshwayo said.

"When I came here, I said I wanted a trophy, and we were able to deliver on that mandate."

"Unfortunately, the second season didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, and this is what has informed my decision to request the club to grant me my wish of leaving because I still have a lot to give and a lot to offer in the field of play."

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