HARARE - South African champions Orlando Pirates have decided against signing Zimbabwean midfielder Ronald Chitiyo and defender Byron Madzokere, who were on a weekly-long trial at the club.

Monomotapa midfield star Chitiyo arrived in South Africa last week after an excellent season with Monomotapa United and was named Zimbabwe's third best player in the 2012 Castle Premiership season. He was accompanied by defender Madzokere.

 However according to a Pirates source, Chitiyo will not be offered a contract at Parktown after failing to impress the club's technical team.

 "I understand both Zimbabwean players including Chitiyo have gone back to Zimbabwe and will not be signed by Pirates.

 "The only guy still training with the club is a striker from DR Congo who so far is looking impressive and banging in the goals at training," he adds.

Zimbabwean players have generally failed to make the grade at the Soweto giants, with former Dynamos striker Takesure Chinyama breaking a long spell by signing for the Buccaneers last June.

Unattached defender Madzokere wa hoping to forget the disappointment of his last-minute snub by fledgling South African outfit Chippa United late last year by convincing Pirates coach Roger De Sa to give him a contract.

The 21-year-old stopper was asked to leave by Chippa after the Cape outfit had initially agreed to sign the Zimbabwean on a three-year deal.

In unclear circumstances, Chippa ended up signing Nigerian centre-back James Okwuosa instead.

This ultimately meant a long trip back home for Madzokere, who had previously failed to secure a deal with AmaZulu, Bloemfontein Celtic and SuperSport United in the South African league. – KickOff.com/Sports Writer