Ghana midfielder Edwin Gyimah made his debut for South African giants Orlando Pirates on Saturday even though he is yet to sign a deal with the top-flight Premier Soccer League side.

The midfielder played his first game for the Buccaneers in front of a crowd of close to 95,000 in the Carling Black Label Cup – the season’s opener in the South African league.

Gyimah got his first taste of Soweto derby action as he got the result he was hoping for with Orlando Pirates beating league champions Amakhosi in the Carling Black Label Cup.

Brought on in the final 15 minutes, the Ghana international put in a solid showing in the middle of the park.

The tough tackling Ghanaian only had one day to train with the team before being thrown into the deep end against Chiefs in front of nearly 95, 000 spectators and Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler revealed he has big plans for him.

Tinkler was happy with the addition of experienced midfielder Edwin Gyimah who signed from SuperSport United.

“We are very happy to get Gyimah in because he had been one of the players we had earmarked at the end of last season,” said Tinkler who won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations as a player with Bafana Bafana.

“He is a very adaptable player, we could use him in the centre of defence or in the holding midfield role, he is an international player and plays for Ghana.

“He has played in Africa, he comes with that experience and he understands what it takes to play in Africa.

“He only joined us on Friday and I thought he did okay.”

Gyimah is expected to seal the deal with Orlando Pirates this week.