Former Angolan international goalkeeper Hugo Marques has explained why he thinks it was wise for compatriot and Angola national team attacker Gilberto (Deivi Miguel Vieira) to leave Orlando Pirates.
Marques said this in an exclusive interview with Pan-Africa Football on why he thinks Gilberto opted for a U-turn to rejoin Angolan giants Petro de Luanda on loan last week.
The veteran keeper insisted that the winger has rediscovered his happiness for the game since returning home.
“Gilberto is happy again right now. Orlando doesn’t need Gilberto and Gilberto doesn’t need Orlando. They need a mutual break,” he said.
The former Cape Town City shot-stopper did not elaborate on why Gilberto needed that break. Pirates confirmed the departure of the winger barely five months after he joined the Soweto giants from Angolan champions Petro.
"Orlando Pirates has reached an agreement for the loan transfer of Angolan international Gilberto to Petro de Luanda for the remainder of the season. The move sees Gilberto return to his hometown club, pending the successful completion of a medical," the statement reads.
Pirates signed the right-winger from the Angolans on a three-year deal but he found life difficult in the bright lights of Johannesburg, making limited appearances mostly as a substitute across all competitions without scoring let alone providing an assist.
Gilberto joined the Buccaneers after two seasons with Angolan Girabola champions, with whom he provided 21 goals and 10 assists in 68 appearances across all competitions.
"The enterprising forward had an impressive 2024 season where he starred at the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier that year, guiding Angola to the quarter-finals of the competition," reads Pirates' statement.
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