CLIFFORD Ngobeni could return to Orlando Pirates for the 2013-2014 season where he would hope to reignite his floundering career, but he is still locked in a pay dispute with the club and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The former Bafana Bafana international has endured a horror 18 months on loan at Golden Arrows, who decided after the first six months they did not want to keep him.
Abafana Bes'thende tried to return the player to the Buccaneers, but Pirates held firm on their agreement, so the 25-year-old has spent the entire season on the sidelines in Durban.
Ngobeni has not been paid for a year and is looking to recoup the estimated R1.3-million in earnings from Pirates or Arrows.
The matter is before the PSL's dispute resolution chamber and is set to be heard on June 5 and 6.
Whatever the decision there, Ngobeni will be back on the Pirates payroll in July. The former Ajax Cape Town star has a contract with the Soweto side until June 2014.
His last PSL appearance came in the 4-2 loss to Bucs in May last year that handed the club the league championship.
Pirates coach Roger de Sa already is already spoilt for choice in central midfield, but says he will look at Ngobeni in pre-season if the club decides to retain him.
"I remember when he was at Ajax I looked at him and I thought, 'this boy can play'," De Sa told Sowetan.
"He has had a tough time lately but he is young enough to bounce back and do the business in the PSL. He is another name that will go into the think tank and one that we will consider. We will have to see what shape he is in because he has not played for a year."
Ngobeni would compete with the likes of Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Mpho Makola, Lehlogonolo Maselesa and Manti Maholo for a place in the starting line-up.
Ngobeni may rejoin Pirates
CLIFFORD Ngobeni could return to Orlando Pirates for the 2013-2014 season where he would hope to reignite his floundering career, but he is still locked in a pay dispute with the club and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The former Bafana Bafana international has endured a horror 18 months on loan at Golden Arrows, who decided after the first six months they did not want to keep him.
Abafana Bes'thende tried to return the player to the Buccaneers, but Pirates held firm on their agreement, so the 25-year-old has spent the entire season on the sidelines in Durban.
Ngobeni has not been paid for a year and is looking to recoup the estimated R1.3-million in earnings from Pirates or Arrows.
The matter is before the PSL's dispute resolution chamber and is set to be heard on June 5 and 6.
Whatever the decision there, Ngobeni will be back on the Pirates payroll in July. The former Ajax Cape Town star has a contract with the Soweto side until June 2014.
His last PSL appearance came in the 4-2 loss to Bucs in May last year that handed the club the league championship.
Pirates coach Roger de Sa already is already spoilt for choice in central midfield, but says he will look at Ngobeni in pre-season if the club decides to retain him.
"I remember when he was at Ajax I looked at him and I thought, 'this boy can play'," De Sa told Sowetan.
"He has had a tough time lately but he is young enough to bounce back and do the business in the PSL. He is another name that will go into the think tank and one that we will consider. We will have to see what shape he is in because he has not played for a year."
Ngobeni would compete with the likes of Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Mpho Makola, Lehlogonolo Maselesa and Manti Maholo for a place in the starting line-up.
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