There is an update on Deon Hotto’s future with Orlando Pirates amid reported foreign interest, including links to Al Ahly and former coach Jose Riveiro.
According to well-placed sources, Pirates remain intent on securing the long-term services of the Namibian international, as the club continues its efforts to fend off interest from abroad and reward the versatile player for his consistent contributions since joining the Soweto giants.
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Hotto, who has been a mainstay in the Pirates squad since arriving from Bidvest Wits in 2020, has earned praise for his work rate, versatility, and leadership qualities.
His current contract is nearing its final stretch, and sources close to the club confirm that a renewal offer has already been tabled.
According to a source within the club, Hotto’s professionalism and impact on and off the field have made him a key figure in the squad.
He is seen as a vital senior presence in the dressing room – one the club is keen to retain, especially as the Buccaneers look to build a balanced blend of youth and experience for upcoming campaigns.
“The club is keen to renew his contract. Hotto has done very well since joining the club and is seen as a valuable member of the team. His professionalism is highly regarded, and he’s one of the senior players the club wants to keep around to help guide the younger ones,” said a source.
While the 34-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from clubs in the Middle East and North Africa, including Al Ahly where his former Pirates coach Jose Riveiro now plies his trade, insiders believe a move north is unlikely.
Another source close to the situation stated that although Riveiro is an admirer of Hotto, decisions at a club like Al Ahly go through board-level scrutiny.
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With Hotto now in his thirties, age could be a limiting factor in any potential transfer to the Egyptian powerhouse.
Pirates, however, remain focused on securing the veteran’s future in the PSL. Talks are believed to be at an advanced stage, with the club eager to conclude the matter before the start of pre-season.
A bidding war appears to be brewing for a striker whose time at his current club seems to be drawing to a close, with interest emerging from not just within South Africa but also from Eastern Europe.
With his contract coming to an end at Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs reportedly interested in him, it has emerged that a Russian club is interested in the striker.
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Insiders very close to both the Brazilians and the player have indicated that a Russian club had enquired about Etiosa Ighodaro who was on loan last season.
The insider added that Russian team FC Baltika from Kaliningrad has been monitoring and has enquired about Ighodaro who spent last season on loan at AmaZulu FC.
“It’s a team from Russia. Yes, they’ve been monitoring Ighodaro for some time now and it’s believed they have eventually made up their mind and they want to sign him. They are happy that he is a big striker who can use both his feet to shoot, can dribble and can also score with his head. That’s very rare and that’s what they are looking for. That’s what they are looking at. Yes, it’s a big club. It’s called FC Beltika,” the insider told Soccer Laduma.
A second Siya source stated that FC Baltika are believed to be offering the Nigerian striker over R7 million a year in salary.
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“There is a big offer there. Actually it’s a huge offer from Russia. It’s around US $400,000 (approximately R7,1 million). That’s over R7 million just in salaries. So that means they are really serious about him. That’s the offer in salaries only without the signing on fee,” the second source revealed.
The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at AmaZulu FC and it’s believed that Sundowns are willing to release him when his contract expires and Kaizer Chiefs are monitoring the situation.
The emergence of FC Baltika as a serious contender could significantly complicate Chiefs’ pursuit of the Nigerian forward. With the substantial financial package reportedly on offer from Russia, Ighodaro faces a career-defining decision between remaining in the familiar environment of South African football or testing himself in the Russian Premier League.
His versatile attacking skills and aerial ability clearly have admirers beyond South Africa’s borders, potentially triggering a three-way tussle for his signature in the coming weeks.
A coach’s recent international travels hint at an ambitious plan to secure continental success for his club, with a high-profile striker firmly in his sights.
Kaizer Chiefs are continuing the search for the most important players that they are looking for to improve not only their squad but their performance for next season as well.
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After visiting Tanzania on a scouting mission, it’s believed that coach Nasreddine Nabi took another trip to the North, to continue scouting for a most needed player in the team.
Insiders close to the club and privy to reliable information have indicated that Nabi was in Egypt during the CAF Champions League final on a scouting mission as he continues to look for a striker.
“The coach is looking at the players who he believes can help the team next season. Not just in the local competitions but in Africa as well. You know they were in Tanzania where they are set to sign Feisal Salum from Azam FC and the main reason of going to Egypt was to find out what’s happening with Fiston Mayele. You know he knows he is from DRC, then Yanga SC and him believe he can help Chiefs in playing in Africa. That was his mission in Egypt,” the insider told the Siya crew.
Meanwhile a second insider stated that although Chiefs were believed to have decided to have very little chance of signing Mayele, things could change if Nabi could convince him.
“Chiefs have been chasing Mayele for almost three seasons if not more. They had a chance to sign him for free at one point but it didn’t work. Then he joined Pyramids FC in Egypt and his price has been rising and Chiefs felt like it’s too much. But now they are reconsidering that after coach Nabi’s scouting mission to Egypt, it will now all go down to money to decide whether they sign him or not,” the second source told Soccer Laduma.
The 30-year-old Congolese international is this season’s CAF Champions League top goalscorer.
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Soccer Laduma contacted Chiefs for comment on the situation but there was no response at the time of publishing.
The pursuit of Mayele underscores the Soweto giants’ renewed continental ambitions under their North African coach. Having previously worked with the prolific striker at Yanga SC, Nabi clearly believes the Champions League top scorer could be the missing piece in his rebuilding project.
However, the financial considerations are potentially proving a stumbling block, and Chiefs’ faithful will be watching anxiously to see if the club’s long pursuit of the Congolese marksman finally bears fruit in this transfer window.
