Matlaba set for Buccaneers exit - report

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba is reportedly set to be released by the club in the near future.

Matlaba made just seven Absa Premiership appearances in 2018/19 and it seems his eight-year Pirates career is coming to an end.

The 31-year-old is set to join the likes of Diamond Thobola, Phetso Maphanga, Meshack Maphangule, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Ayanda Nkosi, Justice Chabalala and Gladwin Shitolo to go through the exit door.

Maphangula and Chabalala are said to be going out on loan to either Chippa United or Bloemfontein Celtic, while Shitolo could move to the Chilli Boys permanently.

Meanwhile, experienced striker Thamsanqa Gabuza is likely to remain at Bucs for 2019/20.

Forward Zakhele Lepasa is set to be loaned out again to gain experience after a season in which he won the Nedbank Cup with TS Galaxy.

A source told KickOff: "Gabuza is staying while Zakhele Lepasa is set to go out on loan to another PSL team to get game time and gain experience."