Pirates loanee Lungelo Dondolo says another Championship season can prepare him for top flight

Lungelo Dondolo believes he is ready to compete for a place at Orlando Pirates, but the 25-year-old accepts another season in the second tier could give him the preparation he needs before returning to the Betway Premiership.

The player known as “Scirocco” has joined Real Native FC, formerly Casric Stars, on loan for the season. The move is his second temporary spell away from Pirates since becoming part of the club’s set-up.

Dondolo, who was born in Katlehong, spent the second half of last season with Midlands Wanderers in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. His loan followed an appearance in the Pirates squad for the Carling All Stars match in December.

Although he was included on the bench for the Buccaneers in that fixture, Dondolo had spent more time playing for the club’s reserve side, Pele Pele. He subsequently moved to KwaZulu-Natal-based Wanderers, where he made a strong impression.

The midfielder or forward featured in 13 matches for Wanderers, scoring four goals and supplying six assists. He will now look to build on that experience with Real Native as he continues his development away from his parent club.

“Honestly, as a player I’d say I am ready because that’s where I want to see myself, but when you look at things sometimes, you think I still maybe need a good season or in the NFD to prepare myself, so when I go there to the Betway Premiership, I am not coming back to the NFD,” Dondolo said to Soccer Laduma after being unveiled by Real Native.

He said leaving Pirates on loan had helped him identify areas of his game that still required improvement, while regular matches in the National First Division had also increased his confidence.

“Going out on loan helps you as a player because sometimes you tell yourself that you are ready to play for your parent club, but they see something that you do not see and it helps a lot because we improve certain things you think you knew. When you play those NFD games, you learn a lot. It prepares me for the Betway Premiership as I wait for my team. It gives me confidence. Each game, I learn something new.”

Real Native have announced 16 new players before the start of the new campaign. Among them are Vicky Mkhawana and Ofentse Kgosana, who have both joined on loan from Kaizer Chiefs.

The club have also added experience in the form of Menzi Ndwandwe and Xolani Slawula. Their recruitment comes as Real Native prepare for the season under a new identity following the club’s change from Casric Stars.

Former Orlando Pirates defender Justice Chabalala, however, has left the club. Coach Bucs Mthombeni confirmed the departure.

Chabalala joined the club when it was still known as Casric during the second half of last season. His contract ran until the end of June.