New Orlando Pirates Signing Fires Warning Shots at Mamelodi Sundowns

New Orlando Pirates recruit Andre de Jong is confident the club can end Mamelodi Sundowns' reign as league champions, with Abdeslam Ouaddou's squad currently leading the Betway Premiership standings.

Orlando Pirates have bolstered their ranks during the mid-season transfer window, bringing in De Jong from Stellenbosch FC.

The club also secured the services of Daniel Msendami and Mpho Chabatsane from Marumo Gallants. The three new arrivals are expected to inject fresh impetus into the team's title challenge.

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The Buccaneers have finished as runners-up in the past two seasons, narrowly missing out on the top prize.

While the club has enjoyed considerable success in cup competitions over the last three years, the league title has remained elusive. However, the current campaign has sparked renewed optimism among the Soweto giants.

In previous seasons, Orlando Pirates often struggled to match Sundowns' consistency over the full length of the season. This time, however, the men in black and white hold the advantage on the log.

They currently occupy the top spot with nine wins from their 12 matches, while the Chloorkop-based team sits in second place with seven victories from 13 games played. De Jong believes the team's current position provides every reason for optimism.

"I think it's a goal for everyone at the club to win the league this year. I think it's a great opportunity sitting at the top of the log in the break," the new signing stated.

"So, in these two weeks, we have just been pushing really hard to get our condition right. Then, I think from the outside, there are a lot of expectations from the fans to break the drought, and hopefully we can do it this season and really stamp our authority when we come back into the games."

Orlando Pirates are currently holding a training camp in Rustenburg to prepare for the second half of the season. Their campaign will resume on January 24 with an away fixture against Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.