Cape Town - Orlando Pirates caretaker coach Eric Tinkler admits that it would be a massive loss if star midfielder Oupa Manyisa departs for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Read: Oupa will be a Sundowns player - Agent
The 26-year-old has been with the Buccaneers since 2008, but in recent months he has been consistently linked with a move to big spending ‘Downs.
In fact, Manyisa’s agent was quoted on a local website on as saying that the South Africa international is set to join the Brazilians before Friday, 30 January, when the PSL transfer window closes.
Tinkler claims being in the dark as to Manyisa’s future, but admitted it would be a major blow to the Buccaneers if they were to lose their talisman.
"He is a massive influence in the team. He makes the team tick and it would be sad to see him go," Tinkler told SAPA.
"But I am not the right person to talk about whether he stays or he goes. My duty is to prepare the team and not comment who is coming and leaving."
Manyisa has been on duty with the national team at the 2015 African Cup of Nations, where he missed Tuesday’s game against Ghana due to a slight knee injury.