Angolan winger Gilberto will fly back to South Africa for the COSAFA Cup with question marks on his head about his situation at Orlando Pirates.
Gilberto has been selected for Angola’s final squad announced late afternoon on Monday.
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Palancas Negras kick off their campaign on Thursday against Namibia and will do so with the Pirates winger as a notable selection.
The 24-year-old has been back home since the beginning of the year on loan at Petro de Luanda after struggling to get going at the Soweto giants.
While back home, Gilberto has won the league again and did so with plenty minutes to his name, which made sure he retains his place in the national team.
However, there are still question marks hanging over whether there will be room for him at The Buccaneers in the new season with a new coach coming in.
Gilberto’s six months at the club came with only a single appearance from start to finish from the 12 games that he got under Jose Riveiro.
His desire to keep his place in the national team will mean he has to be playing at club level.
This then brings the question on whether he comes back to possibly sit on the bench at Pirates or submits another request for a loan extension at Petro, where he will play often.
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The rapid rise of Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng on the two wings has left Gilberto forgotten at Pirates, where he faces the risk of remaining a fringe player upon his return.
Gilberto is a popular figure back home.
