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Bucs starlet hopeful of first team shot

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates reserve team captain Ricky Lourenco says he is hopeful of winning promotion to the first team squad to follow in former team-mate Siphumelele Mbulu's footsteps. 

Lourenco moved to Netherlands with PEC Zwolle in 2014 although he returned to South Africa after just one year in that country, eventually opting to play for Pirates. 

The 21-year-old, who was originally a product of Bidvest Wits youth academy, feels he has adapted well to life back in South African football, however, he still holds the goal of making his bow in the first team. 

"I think in the last two years I've settled in nicely at Pirates, and it's a club that I’m really happy at, at the moment," he said as quoted by KickOff website.

"I think everyone has their own time, hopefully my chance will come. I know it’s tough being promoted at a club like Orlando Pirates. 

"At the moment the first team is in a good space so they don't necessarily need players, but there'll be a time and I need to be ready. I just need to keep my head down and work hard. 

"With that being said, it's easy to promote young players when the team is doing well, rather than struggling, so I just need to wait patiently for my chance. 

"I'm very happy for Mbulu as well, he's a very hard worker, doesn't say much and shows it all on the pitch, which is the type of player Pirates likes.

"It's very encouraging and, like I said, hopefully it opens doors for other players to be promoted as well, including myself."

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