Orlando Pirates wingback Deon Hotto has revealed he is more than ready to reach out to his former teammate Thembinkosi Lorch and settle their differences.
Both Hotto and Lorch were alleged to not see-eye-to-eye after falling out with each other during the latter's tenure at the Soweto giants.
READ: Another dead end for Chiefs discard
Fullback Paseka Mako accused the former Pirates star of jealousy due to the Namibian international getting more game-time and rarely being substituted at Pirates.
Lorch left the Mighty Buccaneers in January to join the Mamelodi Sundowns after spending more than six years with the club.
Startling revelations of the sour relationship between Hotto and Lorch in the dressing room were made by a couple of Pirates players, with Mako being a central figure in the exposé on the club's TV documentary, titled 'The Changeroom', which was flighted earlier in off-season.
In true raconteur nature, though, the pint-sized footballer sidestepped the process of naming the pair, referring to them only by their jersey numbers: as in, 'umjita u3' [Lorch] and 'umjita u7' [Hotto], something that turned into a trend in the social media community.
Hotto believes whatever happened between him and 'Nyoso', as his ex-teammate is fondly referred to, is now water under the bridge.
"No, there is no relationship because he is not here anymore. Actually, I had to settle this with him, but it was about time the league [season] was finished, and I went to the national team for AFCON. When I was still on that side [Ivory Coast], okay, I heard that he also left, so we haven't actually met or sat down.
"Definitely, I will talk to him when we get a chance to meet," revealed Hotto during the the Houghton-based outfit's jersey launch at Orlando stadium on Monday.
Jose Riveiro's charges are back in the country after spending two weeks doing pre-season in Spain.
For his part, Hotto is raring to go again after winning two trophies with the Sea Robbers during the 2023/24 season.
READ | Dan Dance on Folz to Downs: I would have understood if...
"For me, I will say it is in God's hands. If I am fully fit, I am going to play. Ja, like now, I am strong, healthy, and fit. I will see how far the Lord is going to take me."