Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane seems to have made a surprise return to the club in a new role following the end of his contract as a player at the Houghton-based outfit.
Mpontshane was among six Pirates players released at the end of last season in a list that included Fortune Makaringe, Kermit Erasmus, Souaibou Marou, Vincent Pule and Richard Ofori.
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However, the 36-year-old has seemingly returned under a new role.
Mpontshane was spotted working with the club's goalkeeping coaches during a' media open day on Thursday.
The veteran shot-stopper has been with the Soweto giants since 2015 and kept 34 clean sheets from his 88 appearances.
For a large part, he remained a back-up goalkeeper, but was said to be a model professional who never sulk despite a lack of game-time, instead providing support and encouragement to whoever got the nod.
He did not start a single match in the league last season and only came on as a substitute once, in the 7-1 mauling of Golden Arrows as he replaced Sipho Chaine in the 54th minute.
It remains unclear if the new role is confirmation of Mpontshane's official retirement from the game that he has given all of 14 years of service in the topflight, having started out at Platinum Stars, whom he joined from Nathi Lions in the lower ranks.
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Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are putting in the final preparations for the return leg of the CAF Champions League first preliminary round second-leg tie against Disciples FC, to be played at Orlando Stadium on Friday evening.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:30.