ZAMBIAN soccer giants Nkana FC have confirmed that negotiations with Orlando Pirates are at an advanced stage to transfer red-hot striker Evans Kangwa to Parktown during the January transfer window period.

Nkana secretary Stanley Kasero said they have agreed with the Buccaneers on a three-season deal for Kangwa, who is in Botswana with the Zambian team for the 2011 Metropolitan Cosafa Under-20 Soccer Cup, to relocate to South Africa. "The deal is done between ourselves and Pirates after they approached us a few weeks ago with the view to signing Evans," Kasero said.

"The two parties agreed that the boy will move to Pirates (in January). We have no doubt he will also be a success story like many other Zambians in South Africa.

"We could not release him now to start training with Pirates because he is part of the Under-20 national team," said Kasero who is also part of the Zambian team's management committee at this annual development tournament.

The 19-year-old Kangwa, who has scored four goals in the Cosafa tournament in Botswana, said: "It will be a great honour to join a club of Pirates' calibre. They are deservedly regarded as one of the giants of African football.

"Pirates will be playing in the African Champions League (next year) and I would like to be part of that team. Playing alongside Benni McCarthy will be a dream come true as he is one of the deadly strikers. I want to learn from him."

Pirates officials were not available for comment at the time of going to press yesterday as the team is busy with final preparations for Saturday's Telkom Knockout final against Bidvest Wits at Moses Mabhida Stadium.