Martin opens up on ‘tough’ Orlando Pirates spell

Craig Martin joined Orlando Pirates as a rather surprise signing in January however things didn’t go according to plan for the speedy winger.

Martin struggled to adapt to life in Johannesburg and went from being a regular player at Cape Town City to a fringe player at the Buccaneers.

Martin made just six appearances for the Buccaneers, and looked far from his exciting usual self.

The wing-back has since opened up about his time at the Buccaneers after securing a move to Chippa United ahead of next season.

ALSO READ • Mamelodi Sundowns defender wanted by African giants!

ALSO READ • Kaizer Chiefs take major decision on Khune’s future at Naturena

Orlando Pirates flop opens up on his time in Mayfair

“I am disappointed with that, but sometimes in football it happens like that. Sometimes things don’t go your way, other times they go your way.” Martin told Sowetan.

“It was a new environment, so I had to adapt to being new there and being in Cape Town for all my life and having to move [to Johannesburg] for the first time outside the Mother City. I probably also didn’t fit into the coach’s plans.

“But having played for a bigger team with all the fans around, I learned a lot from my move from Cape Town to Johannesburg, where I had my family supporting me. It was not easy.

“I also learned a lot from playing with top players in the league and understanding what is expected from you at a big team.”

ALSO READ • Lorch is my role-model, says Pirates starlet Ratomo

ALSO READ • New Amakhosi coach speaks!

SuperSport United top boss Stanley Matthews has revealed why smaller clubs can’t sign Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns’ fringe players.

A number of players are struggling for minutes at the ‘big three’ however, they can only move to other PSL teams if they accept massive salary cuts.

ALSO READ • Former Sundowns coach replaces Kaizer Chiefs linked Nabi!

We can’t afford Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns players

“The big problem with players coming across from Sundowns, Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, most of us can’t meet their package,” Matthews told FARPost

“It’s like Andile Jali. Who wouldn’t want to take Andile Jali? You know what I mean, I think every team in the PSL would like to sign Andile Jali.

“But how much do you earn? ‘I can’t afford that’. ‘Can I give you half? No, I can’t take half’. Okay, what can you do? But we’re going to try our best.”

ALSO READ • Ex Orlando Pirates coach set to sign Sundowns star in Morocco!

ALSO READ • Orlando Pirates beat THREE teams to PSL star’s signature?