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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates administrative manager Floyd Mbele has explained that it simply wasn't possible for the club to sign a defender in January.
The Buccaneers brought in midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu from Stellenbosch FC on transfer deadline day, but the move came under scrutiny from fans who wanted to see their club sign a defender.
Mbele has acknowledged that the supporters are correct in their assessment that a defender is needed, but went on to explain that it's not as straight forward as it may seem.
"People were justified in their observation, but it wasn't a willing seller, willing buyer market," he told City Press.
"The challenge is that, in January, clubs are in it [the market] for different reasons and they are not willing to release their best players.
"People must understand that it is not easy. It's okay because we are not the ones to sign players on popularity."
On the Zungu signing, the player's agent Mike Makaab has revealed that the move happened "very quickly" thanks to a release clause on his Stellenbosch contract.
"Nkanyiso had a year and a half left on his contract, but Stellenbosch had a very fair release clause," Makaab told City Press.
"There was a set fee to terminate his contract. We triggered that clause. The move literally happened within 48 hours."
- TeamTalk Media
