Orlando Pirates playmaker Kabelo Dlamini has rejected a move to Stellenbosch FC, which has also seen the proposed swap deal with Faiz Abrahams and Dublin Boon to the Buccaneers cast in doubt.
Dlamini, 30, had been identified as a key target for head coach Gavin Hunt and a deal has been agreed in principle with winger Abrahams and goalkeeper Boon expected to be part of the swap deal.
However, iDiski Times has now been informed the deal has reached a deadlock, with Dlamini rejecting the move to the Cape Winelands ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Pirates will now need to re-start talks with Stellies if they want to acquire Abrahams and Boon – while there’s been interest from Durban City and two Gauteng-based clubs for the winger.
Sources indicate that Abrahams is open to the move to Durban, given their recent success in the Nedbank Cup, which qualified the team for CAF Confederation Cup football.
Meanwhile, Dlamini has made 187 appearances for the club, but fell down the pecking order under Abdeslam Ouaddou and only made nine appearances.