Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori has joined AmaZulu on a free transfer, the club said on Friday, and will be looking to make a debut this weekend as the club struggle with a goalkeeping confidence crisis.
Ofori did not have his contract at Pirates renewed at the end of last season in which he only played two games for the club – both in African club competition – and fell down in the pecking order at the cob.
Ironically, he captained Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast but some goalkeeping errors contributed to the Black Stars being eliminated in the first round.
🌴 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗨𝗥𝗕𝗔𝗡 🇬🇭#ThatsPower#HebeUsuthu#UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/NUNlfgbAc6
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) September 27, 2024
Ofori joins AmaZulu after first choice Veli Mothwa made a horror error in the last minute of their opening Betway Premiership game against Polokwane City and was dropped for their second match in which replacement by Olwethu Mzimela conceded three first half goals against AmaZulu on Wednesday.
AmaZulu’s next encounter is at Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Ofori, 30, made his debut in South African football for Maritzburg United at AmaZulu seven years ago.
He was at Maritzburg for three seasons, playing 66 games before moving to Pirates where he won two MTN8 winners’ medals in his four seasons with the club.
“I’m happy to be here in KZN again. It feels like home, as KwaZulu Natal was where I first arrived in South Africa. We’re here to work and continue the journey," Ofori said in a press release.
The experienced goalkeeper also highlighted his commitment to contributing to AmaZulu’s success. “The team is a big club, the oldest in the country, and I’m here to contribute," he added.