Zungu Sets Record Straight On Hanamub To Pirates Rumours

AmaZulu defender Riaan Hanamub is going nowhere, according to president Sandile Zungu.

Hanamub has been linked with joining Orlando Pirates, with whom Zungu has established a sound relationship when it comes to player trading since he bought Usuthu in October 2020.

The Namibian international defender was in top form this past season for Usuthu, starting 32 matches in all competitions, having just joined them from Chippa United.

He featured in the MTN8 final for Usuthu where they lost to Pirates in the final in November last year, but Zungu insisted his prized asset will be going nowhere despite the club releasing 11 players.    

“Riaan Hanamub is arguably the best left-back in the DStv Premiership, there is no question about it,” said Zungu.

“He’s the best left-back in the local scene, he’s a Namibian international, very exemplary, even his behaviour, at true Nkentshane [wild dog], a fighter.

“You just can’t afford to. He has some growth to realise as well, so he needs to grow, he needs to be coached and become the better young Hanamub that we see now.

“But he’s not going anywhere and no one has spoken to me about Hanamub, no one. So I don’t know where this Hanamub thing comes from.”

Usuthu has built a sound relationship with Pirates in player trading in recent times. They sold Thapelo Xoki in a swap deal with Gabadinho Mhango before the 2022/23 season started.

Then in the second half of the season, Pirates yet again came back to sign Makhehleni Makhaula, who had already signed a pre-contract with the Soweto giants.

Usuthu had no choice but to cash in on Makhaula with six months left on his deal.    

“I speak to Orlando Pirates regularly and he has been associated with Orlando Pirates, but they have never spoken to me about Hanamub. I think they are a professional team and I have enjoyed my interaction with them in the past,” added Zungu.

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“I know they will not spread rumours and destabilise my team, not all. The fact is Riaan Hamamub is contracted with AmaZulu for at least another two seasons and it is firm intention to keep him at AmaZulu as the core member of the team.”

Hanamub has also been impressive for the Namibia national team, who are on top of Group C in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers ahead of Cameroon and on course to qualify for the tournament that will take place next in Ivory Coast in January and February.