In an exciting development for football fans, the JDR Stars, a team competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, are looking to bring Orlando Pirates midfielder Azola Tshobeni on board through a loan deal.
This move seems to be driven by the realization that Tshobeni isn’t quite in the plans of Pirates head coach, José Riveiro, especially since he hasn’t made it into the matchday squad since returning to the club.
Tshobeni’s Journey and Experience
The 22-year-old midfielder has spent the last three seasons on loan with JDR Stars, where he aimed to accumulate valuable game time and experience.
During his time with the Pretoria-based team, Tshobeni made 70 league appearances and scored two goals, showcasing his potential.
His journey to the first team at Pirates came after he impressed with strong performances in the club’s development squad.
In the 2020/21 season, Tshobeni made a mark with six appearances for the Pirates across all competitions before heading out on loan.
Recently, he participated in the club’s pre-season preparations for the upcoming 2024/25 season, but it looks like a loan move could be on the horizon as the next transfer window approaches.
January Transfer Plans
Nditsheni Nemasisi, the chairman of JDR Stars, has confirmed the club’s interest in securing Tshobeni’s services in January 2025.
According to sources close to the situation, Stars attempted to negotiate a move for him before the transfer window closed on September 20, but unfortunately, the deal fell through.
Nemasisi stated, “At the moment, Azola Tshobeni is with Orlando Pirates. He was one of our important players last season. We will try to have conversations about Tshobeni coming to us in January.”
Competition at Pirates
Currently, Tshobeni faces stiff competition for a spot in the Pirates’ attacking midfield lineup, with players like Monnapule Saleng, Patrick Maswanganyi, Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng, Kabelo Dlamini, Karim Kimvuidi, and Thuso Moleleki all vying for playing time.
Despite this challenge, the Pirates have had a remarkable start to the 2024/25 season, winning all their opening matches in the Betway Premiership.
Additionally, they are set to compete in the final of the MTN8 against Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00.
What Lies Ahead
As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on the potential deal for Tshobeni.
Fans will be eager to see if the JDR Stars can successfully bring him back into their fold, providing him with the opportunity to continue his development and contribute significantly to their campaign.