Orlando Pirates fans were left jubilant after the club secured the signature of highly-rated midfielder Karim Kimvuidi during the pre-season. However, recent reports suggest that Kimvuidi could have been plying his trade in Belgium instead of the Premier Soccer League.
According to sources, Kimvuidi was on the radar of a Belgian club before opting for the move to Orlando Pirates. The details of the Belgian club and the reasons behind Kimvuidi’s decision remain unclear, but it begs the question: did he miss an opportunity or make a calculated choice?
Lupus Sports Management, the agency that handles Burnley FC star Lyle Foster’s affairs, were behind the Belgian move. This was after the Congolese midfielder sparkled for Maritzburg United, who got the chop from the DStv Premiership after losing in the promotion/relegation playoffs.Â
But a local agent, who was mandated to find him a club, took the 21-year-old to the Buccaneers.
Interestingly, just three weeks ago, Lupus announced that Kimvuidi was their latest client. They will try reviving the overseas switch, although it may be tricky now that he penned a long-term deal with Orlando Pirates.
He has not had the best start at the Buccaneers, as he is yet to knuckle down a starting place under coach Jose Riveiro.
He has made five starts and six substitute appearances across all competitions this season. The Soweto giants have played a total of 24 fixtures so far. Riveiro has preferred Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng ahead of him.
JOSE RIVEIRO PRAISES KARIM KIMVUIDI BUT CALLS FOR CONSISTENCY
Riveiro has praised the talented attacker for his talent and potential but emphasised the need for the player to develop consistency in his game.
“We have an excellent group,” Riveiro said. “What you see, everyone can see. These types of players like Karim, fans want to see him.”
However, the coach acknowledged that Kimvuidi needs to be more well-rounded as a footballer.
“We want to help him to be more complete as a football player,” Riveiro explained. “Nowadays in football, they need to be competitive in every aspect. It’s not enough with three or four aspects.”
Riveiro elaborated that Kimvuidi needs to be more consistent in all aspects of his play, not just excelling in a few areas.
“You will need to be more consistent in every aspect and not be too good or so good in two or three aspects,” he said. “With players like him, we are trying to [make] him complete because he has all the conditions to be an exceptional player, more frequent and consistent.”
Despite the demands for improvement, Riveiro remains confident in Kimvuidi’s future.
“It’s going to happen; it’s a question of time,” the coach affirmed. “I’m 100% sure it will happen. As a human being, Karim is a lovely guy who always tries his best. He is always trying to integrate himself in a group with talented players.”
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WILL KIMVUIDI LIVE UP TO HIS POTENTIAL IN THE PSL?
Belgium is renowned for its vibrant football culture, and its league, the Jupiler Pro League, is considered one of the best outside the top five European leagues. Playing in Belgium would have given Kamvuidi the opportunity to compete against higher-quality opposition and potentially earn a bigger payday. Furthermore, the league’s focus on technical football and attacking play could have further developed his skills and playing style.
Ultimately, whether Karim Kimvuidi made the right choice remains to be seen. His success at Pirates will hinge on his ability to adapt to the demands of the PSL and continue showcasing his impressive talent. His decision to join the Pirates could be seen as a shrewd move if he thrives. However, if he struggles or fails to live up to his potential, the question of the missed opportunity in Belgium will likely linger.