Orlando Pirates sign Hlatshwayo

Orlando Pirates sign Hlatshwayo: Thulani Hlatshwayo of Bidvest Wits during the Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and Bidvest Wits at King Zwelithini Stadium Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

Bidvest Wits: Possible destinations for Clever Boys’ top stars

While some Bidvest Wits players switch allegiance to the franchise’s new owners, their top stars are likely to emerge elsewhere.

Orlando Pirates sign Hlatshwayo

Orlando Pirates sign Hlatshwayo: Thulani Hlatshwayo of Bidvest Wits during the Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and Bidvest Wits at King Zwelithini Stadium Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

After 99 years of existence, the Bidvest Wits franchise has been sold to Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandzila owners, leaving some of the club’s players in the lurch.

The Clever Boys had, in recent years, managed to become one of the more successful sides in South Africa, claiming their first league title in 2017 along with several trophies.

Central to their success has been a healthy pool of internationals, who are now up for grabs.

Thulani Hlatshwayo 

bidvest wits
Thamsanqa Gabuza of Orlando Pirates challenged by Thulani Hlatshwayo of Bidvest Wits during the Absa Premiership 2016/17 match between Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates at Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on 04 May 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

One of their more in-demand players is skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo, who has long been linked with Orlando Pirates.

Recent reports suggest that the Bafana captain has already completed a deal with the Sea Robbers, with an announcement imminent.

The Soweto giants do, however, have competition for the player’s services in Mamelodi Sundowns, who are also said to be in pursuit.

Deon Hotto

Orlando Pirates Hotto
Deon Hotto of Bidvest Wits during the Premiership match between Baroka FC and Bidvest Wits at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 15 February 2020 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)

One of Wits’ best finds in the last few years is the Namibian winger, who did not hurt his stock with fine displays in the recent Africa Cup of Nations.

Hotto is another player heavily linked with a move to Pirates, with Sundowns also in the running for his signature.

Thabang Monare 

Elias Pelembe celebrates a goal with Thabang Monare. ((Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images))

Kaizer Chiefs could also find themselves snapping up a Wits player, having courted Monare for quite some time now.

However, this hinges on the outcome of their Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing, where they are appealing a transfer ban imposed on them by Fifa.

Buhle Mkhwanazi 

Bidvest Wits
Cape Town-181002- Bidvest Wits defender Buhle Mkhwanazi challenge Cape Town City’s Craig Martin in a PSL clash at the Cape Town stadium.Wits are fighting to get back the top spot after poor display in their last two games .Photographs:Phando Jikelo/African News Agency/ANA

Stellenbosch are also in the running for a top international in Buhle Mkhwanazi, who is Hlatshwayo’s long-time centre-back partner for both club and country.

The former AmaTuks player could be well on his way to reuniting with ex-mentor Steve Barker at the Cape Winelands.

Sifiso Hlanti

Latest PSL news
Latest sports news headlines: S’fiso Hlanti of Bidvest Wits during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 football match between Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on 21 September 2019 @Howard Cleland/BackpagePix

Another Bafana international likely to exit the side is the left-back, who is believed to be pursued by the country’s big three in Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns.

Gift Motupa

psl fixtures bidvest wits vs kaizer chiefs 9 january 2019
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 07: Gift Motupa of Bidvest Wits celebrates his brace during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits at FNB Stadium on August 07, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

The former Orlando Pirates attacker was among the PSL golden boot contenders in the last completed season, and may soon take his talents to Tshwane, where Mamelodi Sundowns are said to be frontrunners for his services.

Haashim Domingo 

psl results
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 15: Haashim Domingo of Bidvest Wits celebrates his goal during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits at Orlando Stadium on August 15, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

The highly-rated Haashim Domingo is another player said to be on his way out, with Sundowns again the likely destination.