Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has revealed that they are in "discussions" with players on loan at other teams, with the intention to bolster their squad, ahead of CAF Champions League participation next season.
Pirates will be back in the CAF competition next season after they finished as runners-up to champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership standings.
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The Buccaneers are the only team that has played all domestic matches this season after winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.
The Soweto giants will have a bigger challenge next season of competing in five competitions, including the Carling Knockout Cup, which will replace the Telkom Knockout in the 2023/24 season.
Riveiro says they need to manage the players in the squad better but revealed that they are in discussions with players on loan to see if there will be any who can be added to their squad, ahead of a busy 2023/24 campaign, which also has the Africa Cup of Nations in the calendar.
"More important than to have a huge number of players or how many players we need, it's about making sure that we do the right things to have our players available," Riveiro said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.
"We managed to do that better and better (in the past season). We gonna be in a proper situation to be competitive. We keep an eye on our players on loan, we always keep an eye on the market because it's our responsibility.
"And the players who started the season with us and they were on loan, we're already in conversations, in discussions (as to) what's the best for us and what's best for the player as well," he said.
"And also with others who started the season with different teams, it's the same situation. We always try to have a look, what do we need and what is the best for the player as well in their own development," he added.
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Pirates players who were on loan in the 2022/23 season
Bongani Sam - Swallows
Ntsako Makhubela - Golden Arrows
Nkanyiso Zungu - Richards Bay
Azola Matrose - Chippa United
Tshegofatso Mabasa - Sekhukhune United
Kwame Peprah - Maritzburg United
Zakhele Lepasa - SuperSport United
Boitumelo Radiopane - Cape Town Spurs
Which players do you think Pirates should keep for next season?
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