After his outstanding performance against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, Young Africans midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki has attracted interest from a Soweto giant, the Siya crew has been informed.
Kickoff had already reported Orlando Pirates' interest in Aziz Ki on Tuesday, and now Soccer Laduma provides further insight on how Bucs had spotted the Burkinabe player and have been following him before the CAF second leg fixture.
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Siya sources both in Tanzania and South Africa have indicated that Pirates have inquired about the African international and offered him a pre-contract. His contract in Tanzania expires at the end of the current season in June.
The sources added that Pirates scouts first travelled to Tanzania before monitoring the player again at Loftus Stadium in the return leg and they were happy with what they saw regarding his qualities.
"It's not that they started monitoring him when they came to South Africa. They had been looking at him even before that. They even sent scouts to Tanzania during other games as well as the Mamelodi Sundowns game. For them they say they need such a player who can help them going forward together with players like Patrick (Maswanganyi) and Rele Mofokeng. So for now they have shown interest and let's see what happens," said the Siya source.
"It's because they are convinced and happy with what they have seen that they have offered a pre-season contract. If all goes well the move should be for three years plus a one-year option. But for now it's still in the early stages but the interest is there and it's big," the source said.
A second Siya source stated that if all goes well then Pirates could bring in the skillful left-footer next season.
"His contract is coming to an end on June 30 and as we speak there is nothing yet from Yanga as far as extending his contract is concerned. But looking at his value, I don't think they will let him just go free like that. So, it will also depend on what Yanga does next whether they extend his contract or not, whether Pirates would get him as a free agent," the second source added.
The 28-year-old Burkinabe, who joined Yanga in 2022, had scored two goals and provided two assists in the 12 Champions League games he had played this season for Yanga until their exit in the quarter-finals.
It was Aziz Ki's controversial strike that made all the headlines on the weekend when many thought the ball had crossed the line for a Young Africans goal against Sundowns. However, the VAR maintained the referees decision of 'no goal' as the video replay didn't offer conclusive proof to the contrary. Freeze frames of the moment indicated that the whole circumference of the ball had probably not crossed the line. With the game ending 0-0 after two legs, the Brazilians progressed to the semi-finals ahead of Yanga after the penalty shootout.
Soccer Laduma contacted Pirates for a comment but no response was received by the time this story was published.
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