Orlando Pirates midfielder surfaces at Israeli club | OneFootball

Kimvuidi makes suprise appearance in Israel

Picture courtesy of Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates attacking midfielder Karim Kimvuidi has made a surprise appearance for Israeli Premier League side FC Ashdod over the weekend, despite either club making a formal announcement on the move.

The 23-year-old dribbling wizard played the entire 90 minutes as Ashdod lost 2-0 to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Toto Cup Ligat Al. It was a debut that shocked the Bucs faithful as the player was listed in Pirates’ squad for the 2025/26 season.

Kimvuidi signed for the Buccaneers in July 2023 from Maritzburg United, now known as Durban City. However, his spell at Pirates was marred by a lack of game time under then-coach Jose Riveiro, who has since taken over the reins at Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

The Democratic Republic of Congo international, who cut his professional teeth with DC Motema Pembe in his native country, made 37 appearances across all competitions for Pirates, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the process.

He won two MTN8 titles and one Nedbank Cup trophy under the tutelage of the Spanish mentor. Notably, Kimvuidi converted the winning penalty during the 2023 MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Due to limited game time, Kimvuidi was heavily linked with a move away from the club, with Algerian giants JS Kabylie understood to have been the most interested suitor for his services as they gear up for a return to the CAF Champions League.

Moreover, Tanzanian side Simba SC, coach by Fadlu Davids, who worked with Kimvuidi at Maritzburg, were said to be keen on luring the player to Dar es Salaam. It remains unclear at this stage whether the utility player has secured a permanent move to Ashdod.

With Pirates having bolstered the midfield with the signings of Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, Masindi Nemtajela, and Abdoulaye Mariko, making competition for a starting berth even more stiff, Kimvuidi will relish the opportunity to get his career back on track in Europe.