Orlando Pirates are reshaping their attack. Winger Edmilson Chaney has reportedly signed for the newly crowned PSL champions from Hope FC, though the 19-year-old will be loaned straight back to the Cape Town side. Pirates rate him as a serious long-term prospect — he was a key figure in Hope FC's promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship and the club clearly want him to keep developing before the step up to Bucs level.

Pirates Target Young Cape Town City Talent

The bigger and more expensive target is Cape Town City's Emile Witbooi. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder — born in 2008 — has drawn interest from leagues in England, Spain, Germany, France, Belgium and Africa. City have slapped a price tag thought to be rising to R20 million on him, which means Pirates will need to be creative in how they structure any deal. He is raw, but the talent is real.

Appollis Transfer Speculation Fades

On the outgoing side, rumours linking Oswin Appollis with a move away from Mayfair appear to have cooled. The 24-year-old Bafana Bafana star looks set to remain at Pirates heading into the new campaign, which is welcome news for their title defence.

It has been a summer of significant change at Pirates after several high-profile departures, most notably Relebohile Mofokeng. The Betway Premiership title defence kicks off against Milford FC on Saturday, 1 August at 15:30 SAST — and the Buccaneers will want the squad picture settled well before that first whistle.