Orlando Pirates have beefed up their goalkeeping department following the departures of Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane.

The Soweto giants have since recalled Siyabonga Dladla from their feeder club, Pele Pele FC as they prepare for the forthcoming 2024/25 campaign.

Meanwhile, former Pirates defender Fezile Gcaba looks set to return to professional football after joining Richards Bay.

The former South Africa under-20 international has been plying his trade in the ABC Motsepe League (KwaZulu-Natal) for Mkhumbane Classic.

The 23-year-old featured for Pele Pele in the ABC Motsepe League (Gauteng) during the recent campaign and also turned out for Pirates’ first team in friendly matches.

Prior to joining Pele Pele, Dladla played for the Buccaneers’ reserve team in the DStv Diski Challenge and also spent the first round of the 2020/21 season out on loan at NFD side Pretoria Callies where he made just one appearance.

Dladla was on an academy deal during his brief stint with Callies and has now signed his first professional contract as a reward for his performances in the ABC Motsepe League – helping Pele Pele finish in the top three.

GOAL understands that the length of the promising shot-stopper’s deal is three years.