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Lekgwathi hopes Khuzwayo becomes first choice at Pirates

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi is hopeful that new signing Brilliant Khuzwayo can establish himself as the club's undisputed number one.

Lekgwathi, who enjoyed an illustrious 14-year career with the Sea Robbers before retiring in 2016, takes the view that bringing in a player of Khuzwayo's pedigree from arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs is a rarity.

However, he has warned that benching the goalkeeper will make little sense during the 2018/19 campaign.

Khuzwayo faces stiff competition from the likes of Wayne Sandilands, Jackson Mabokgwane and Siyabonga Mpontshane at Mayfair.

Nonetheless, Lekgwathi is optimistic that the 28-year-old can seize the day and secure the starting position for Milutin Sredojevic's side.

"The Brilliant Khuzwayo signing is perhaps the most talked about because he moved from Kaizer Chiefs to Orlando Pirates," he told Soccer Laduma website.

"For me, I still believe that it's only special players who are given that honour.

"He is joining a very elite group of players more especially since he is a goalkeeper, so it makes it even more special. However, it's not going to be easy.

"In recent times, it has become more acceptable for players to do so and move between the two clubs. However, the pressure is still more. I'm sure the supporters will be expecting even more from him.

"At Chiefs, he wasn't the number-one keeper but at Pirates, the expectation will definitely be there and there are already some really good keepers there.

"But at the same time, you don't go and buy a keeper from your biggest rival and make him sit on the bench, so it's going to be tricky one even for the coaches.

"I hope he shows his quality and becomes a regular. There is so much quality at Pirates, but he has the quality to show his best."

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