ORLANDO Pirates forward Gabadinho Mhango is on his way out of the club to join AmaZulu in a swap deal that will see defender Tapelo Xoki going the opposite direction.
The deal makes sense for Pirates who are desperate to improve their defence while Usuthu, who have been struggling upfront, will gladly welcome another attacking option.
AmaZulu, in the last six matches, played without Bongi Ntuli, Augustine Mulenga and Lehlohonolo Majoro due to injuries, with coach Brandon Truter going with rising star Siphesihle Maduna upfront.
For Pirates, in defence, it is where they have been found wanting, and they need a solid partner to twin with Nigerian defender Olisa Ndah.
Happy Jele is ageing and his contract is expiring next month.
Thulani Hlatshwayo, signed at the beginning of the last term from Bidvest Wits, was at fault on several occasions last season and has hardly played for the club this season. According to the source, Pirates approached AmaZulu for Xoki and they felt Mhango was the better option to be let go having featured little this term.
That is despite Mhango performing superbly for his country, Malawi, in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Cameroon early this year, scoring three goals in the tournament.
Durban will be a familiar destination for Mhango having spent the second half of the 2015-16 season with Golden Arrows.
This was after his club then Bloemfontein Celtic fired him after they learnt that he had signed a pre-contract to join Wits ahead of the 2016-17 season.
