A case of the right time, the right place and the right circumstances for all the parties concerned was how agent and former Orlando Pirates coach Mike Makaab on Wednesday night described the signing of Bafana Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvete by the Buccaneers.
Makaab emphasised that the main reason for Nomvete deciding to go to Pirates — after his contract with Swedish club Djuegardens expired on December 15 — was his desire to represent South Africa at next month’s African Nations Cup in Egypt.
”Djuegardens, as well as English clubs Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday, had expressed a desire to sign Nomvete,” said Makaab, ”but while numerous European clubs were interested, they all wanted him to make himself available immediately and not after the Nations Cup in February.
”This meant if Siyabonga wanted to go to Egypt to play for Bafana,” added Makaab, ”he had to look towards a South African club — and there was no shortage of these either.
”But Pirates came up with what was the most suitable deal, which includes the proviso that he can go overseas if a truly inviting offer is made for his services.”
Pirates, for their part, effectively issued a public proclamation that they were searching high and low for a top goal scorer after an epidemic of missed opportunities this week cost the Buccaneers the Premier Soccer League (PSL) championship lead.
And the availability of the quicksilver Nomvete, who has scored 13 goals in 57 appearances for Bafana, must have seemed like manna from heaven for Pirates.
A number of other PSL clubs were also interested in securing Nomvete’s services, including Kaizer Chiefs, for whom he played before joining Italian club Udinese in 2001.
But Makaab reiterated the signing for Pirates had been decided in view of ”the right timing, the right place and in the right circumstances”. — Sapa