Orlando Pirates has not been a happy hunting ground for several Cape Town-born players in recent years, with Abbubaker Mobara's release reemphasising this.
snl24.com/kickoff looks at five recent players who came to the Buccaneers with high expectations but failed to make the grade before quickly moving on.
READ: Why Pirates released Mabokgwane
Abbubaker Mobara
Mobara arrived at Pirates from Ajax Cape Town three seasons ago, having established himself with the Urban Warriors and the national under-23 side. However, despite his versatility at right-back or central midfield, the 25-year-old managed just 51 appearances at the club before being released and going on to return home, with Cape Town City snapping him up.
Riyaad Norodien
Norodien was part of a double swoop for Bucs alongside Mobara and was also making a name for himself in the Absa Premiership at the time with Ajax. But the budding right-winger lasted just 18 months before being loaned out to Platinum Stars, and then transferring back to the Mother City with the Citizens last season. His time in Soweto yielded just one goal in 20 appearances.
Sameehg Doutie
Doutie was another Ajax rise star who moved to the Mayfair-based outfit under much hype following a steady rise in the PSL, having formed part of Foppe De Haan's side with the likes of Thulani Serero and George Maluleka. The former junior international, however, lasted just six months at Pirates before being shipped out to SuperSport United midway through the 2011/12, after just six appearances. He is currently without a club.
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Robyn Johannes
Though he had already spent a large chunk of his career in Gauteng, on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns, the former national under-20 and under-23 skipper ventured across to Orlando at the start of the 2010/11 campaign. Expected to bounce back from a long-term knee injury, Johannes found the going even tougher contending with the likes of Lucky Lekgwathi, Rooi Mahamutsa and Siyabonga Sangweni. The then-25-year-old was loaned out to Golden Arrows before leaving for Maritzburg United on a permanent transfer. He has since returned to Gauteng with Bidvest Wits after a resurgent spell with Cape Town City.
Mark Mayambela
Mayambela had his joy at Pirates but it was short-lived after the departure of Ruud Krol, under whom he managed 23 appearances. The tricky midfielder enjoyed a promising breakthrough season in 2010/11 following his arrival from Bloemfontein Celtic, but quickly fell down the pecking order under Julio Leal, Augusto Palacios and later Roger De Sa. The Cape-born winger left after three seasons with a total of just over 30 appearances to his name. He is currently donning the captain's armband at Chippa United.
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