Masango Signs For Randers
Mandla Masango’s lawyer says that his client turned down
offers from countries like Turkey and France to join Randers FC in Denmark.
The midfielder, who was released by Kaizer Chiefs upon the expiry of his
contract in July, penned a three-year deal. Lawyer Maurizio Mariano says
Masango can’t wait to get started. “There was interest from France, Turkey and
even Austria,” he said. “However, Masango found the move to Randers the most
attractive one. He is excited. He told me it has always been his dream to play
overseas and now his dream has come true. It’s a good opportunity for him
because Denmark also offers him a chance to market himself to bigger leagues.”
Kaizer Chiefs have registered
Philani ‘Iniesta’ Cele for this season despite the club making no mention about
his future during all player announcements. Cele spent the past season on
loan at Moroka Swallows along with Lucky Baloyi and while the latter was
presented before the media as part of the new players and handed the number 35
jersey, nothing was said about the former. It has now been established that –
according to the latest list of confirmed PSL registrations – Cele makes up
part of a 32-man squad that will do duty under Steve Komphela this season. The
23-year-old started just three games and came on as a substitute in another
three matches while on loan at Swallows last season. The gifted midfielder made
his PSL debut for Chiefs as a substitute against University of Pretoria in
December 2013. He started one other match in the CAF Confederation Cup against
ASEC Mimosas last year before he was loaned to the Dube Birds. Chiefs have also
registered 22-year-old development goalkeeper Aubrey Mulovhedzi.
South African national
Under-17 coach Molefi Ntseki says he will not respond to Ajax Cape Town’s
complaint that none of their players were selected for the FIFA World Cup
squad. The Urban Warriors released a statement on Monday voicing their
disappointment that despite their Under-17 team winning the regional Engen
Knockout Tournament, there is not a single Ajax player in Ntseki’s preliminary
25-man squad. “Ajax Cape Town boasts some of the best youth talent in the
country and having none of our players in the national U17 World Cup squad
remains a mystery,” read the statement. But Ntseki has said that he will not
respond and is disappointed at the manner in which the matter has been handled.
Look, the matter wasn’t addressed directly to me, it was sent to the media,”
Ntseki said. “It would have been different if it was sent directly to me or
through the office of our technical director [Neil Tovey]. But I will not
respond through the media. I’m sure the office of the technical director, if
there is something to say, they will advise.” Amajimbos have been drawn in
Group E of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup alongside Costa Rica, North Korea and
Russia and will compete for international honours in Chile from October 19 this
year.
National First
Division club Royal Eagles have confirmed the signing of Siya Mngoma from
AmaZulu, while handing their skipper Walter Maponyane an improved contract. Mngoma
spent the past season at Usuthu, but played just a single game against
Maritzburg United in December at the height of the club’s goalkeeping crisis. Eagles
have also brought in Tanzanian striker Uhuru Selemani following the fall of his
proposed move to Jomo Cosmos, while forward Madoda Motha – who has previously
played for Mpumalanga Black Aces – is on trial. Eagles, who have also brought in
Siyanda Ngubo, Letsie Koapeng and Maselaelo Seanego on loan from Orlando
Pirates, face Highlands Park in their League opener this weekend.
Katlego Mphela and
Lerato Chabangu are still training on their own as they await their next moves.
‘Killer’ was let go by Kaizer Chiefs at the end of the season and looked
set to join Polokwane City, but the move never materialised. Chabangu trained
with Bidvest Wits after the expiry of his Moroka Swallows contract, but the
Students decided against signing him. The players’ agent, Glyn Binkin, says
they are still on the lookout for new clubs. “They are still training on their
own. There is nothing at the moment but we looking at different options,”
Binkin said.
Roggert Nyundu and
Siphelele Ntshangase look set to remain with Black Leopards this season after
both players were registered with the PSL for this season. Leopards are set
to start their campaign in the National First Division with a clash against
Milano United at Thohoyandou Stadium next Saturday. Ntshangase has been granted
extended leave from training after being involved with Bafana Bafana and the
national Under-23 team during the off-season, while Nyundu is back with Lidoda
Duvha after training with Bidvest Wits recently. Leopards spokesperson Barry Ramunenyiwa
has confirmed that both players are registered with the club and ready for the
new season. “They are Black Leopards players and are part of the team for this
season,” Ramunenyiwa said. Leopards had actually signed the player on a
pre-contract way back in February. He was recently released from a questionable
deal at Polokwane City.
Mpumalanga Black Aces newcomer Lebogang Manyama says he was
eager to join the club following a conversation with coach Muhsin Ertugral. Manyama,
who has been allocated the No 21 jersey at Aces, penned a one-year loan deal
with the team from SuperSport United. The attacking midfielder made his PSL
breakthrough under Ertugral at Ajax Cape Town in November 2011. “It’s
great to reunite with Muhsin Ertugral who mentored me at Ajax Cape Town and I
have to credit him for grooming my style of play,” Manyama told
AmaZayoni’s website. “I told my agent after speaking to Muhsin that I
wanted to play at Aces because I know the brand of football the coach expects,
and it suits my style. I really enjoyed today’s session and the players and
technical team immediately made me feel at home. There’s a nice energy in this
club and I really hope to be successful here. Both club bosses, Mario and
George Morfou, are also really nice and understand the game and after meeting
them I made my mind up that I had to join AmaZayoni.” He added:
“Obviously I need to try and establish myself in the team and am very
impressed with the quality of players and ‘yes’ I think we are going to be
strong this season.” Manyama scored five goals in 22 appearances for
Matsatsantsa in 2014/15.
AmaZulu have
confirmed the departure of Ghanaian midfielder John Arwuah. Arwuah was
released before the end of his contract following the club’s relegation to the
National First Division. “Yes, that is how football is and especially
relegation. For now, I am not sure where I will go,” Arwuah told Usuthu’s
website. Arwuah joined the Durban-based outfit in January 2014 from
Bloemfontein Celtic. He previously had spells at Maritzburg United and
SuperSport United.
SuperSport United unveiled Bafana Bafana captain Dean Furman as the club’s marquee signing on Tuesday evening in Johannesburg. Furman joins Matsatsantsa on a three-year contract (initially two years with a one year renewal option) as a free agent after failing to secure a move to Blackburn Rovers having decided against signing a new deal with Doncaster Rovers. The 27-year-old has 28 Bafana caps and captained the country in six matches scoring a total of two goals. He made 261 league and cup appearances for Doncaster with 16 goals and 19 assists to his credit. At SuperSport United, he will link up with former Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, the man who gave the Cape Town-born star his first SA cap. Furman was introduced to the SA public for the first time as a replacement to May Mahlangu in the international friendly match against Brazil in Sao Paulo on September 7, 2012. Once in the development structures of English Premier League club, Furman moved to Glasgow Rangers in 2006 and made a single senior team appearance before heading to Bradford City two years later. Then he was snapped up by Oldham Athletic in 2009 and was named captain of the club in their League One campaign in 2011/2012 season. From then he moved to Doncaster Rovers.
Bidvest Wits will not
be signing Aristide Bance, who had been training with them for a couple of
weeks. The Burkina Faso striker looked to be at the centre of a storm
earlier this week when Chippa United claimed he was their player, having
reportedly signed with them a while back. Wits CEO Jose Ferreira laughed off
the claims, but has now said that Bance will not be signing as he failed
trials. “We are not signing him; he did
not make it,” Ferreira says. “He has gone back to Burkina Faso.” Meanwhile,
Chilli Boys boss Chippa Mpengesi confirms that Bance will be rejoining his team
next week. “He is our player. He has gone back home but will be returning to
the club next week.”
Roger Da Costa has
left Mpumalanga Black Aces to join Aris Limassol of Cyprus on a one-year deal. The
defender was on trial at the club, and has signed on a one-year deal. Aris
Limassol, who were promoted to the First Division recently, are coached by
ex-Bloemfontein Celtic and Aces mentor Aki Agiomamitis.
Santos reserve
goalkeeper Chad Pottier was shot in an attempted armed robbery this past
weekend. The 23-year-old was alone at his family home in Baron Grove,
Durban when three men jumped over the wall. During a scuffle, Pottier was shot
in the foot, while one of the assailants were also wounded before they fled. “They
pounced on him before he could get into the house,” his dad, Mike Pottier said.
“Chad wrestled with one of the armed men. A shot went off and the bullet went
through his right foot. He was taken to hospital and was discharged on Sunday.”
A case of armed robbery and attempted murder has been laid, but no arrests have
been made.
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Mame Niang
has confirmed he is leaving the Brazilians to join a Cypriot team. Niang
will join AEL Limassol on a one-year loan deal. “Yes, that’s true. I’m joining
them on loan for the season. The name of the team is AEL Limassol and I will
leave sometime during the week,” Niang said. South African defender Roger da
Costa and striker Dino Ndlovu also recently secured moves to the Cypriot
topflight from the ABSA Premiership. Da Costa has linked up with Aris Limassol,
while Ndlovu is at Anorthosis Famagusta.
Mamelodi Sundowns
have registered Zimbabwean midfielder Khama Billiat as a local, freeing up one
more space for a foreigner. Billiat started his PSL career in 2010 after
joining Ajax Cape Town from CAPS United. After five years in South Africa he
has now qualified for citizenship. Sundowns have so far registered three
foreigners – out of the permitted five – for the season. They are Cuthbert
Malajila and new signings Mogakolodi Ngele and Fiston Abdul Razak. Nigeria
international Ejike Uzoenyi and Zimbabwean Kudakwashe Mahachi have yet to be
registered as both players have been linked with a move away from Chloorkop. Mame
Niang, who was also registered as a foreigner last season, has joined Cypriot
side AEL Limassol on a one-year loan deal.
Former Bloemfontein
Celtic midfielder Joel Mogorosi has re-signed for Botswana Premiership side
Township Rollers, ending his three-year stay in the South African Premier Soccer
League. The 31-year-old was released at the end of last season by Celtic
and had hoped to remain in the PSL. He had trials with a number of clubs,
including University of Pretoria, but in the end could not win a contract. He
now re-joins former Celtic teammate Mogogi Gabonamong at Rollers in what is his
third spell at the club.
Nigerian attacking
midfielder Felix Obada has signed for Free State Stars following his return
from trials in Norway. Obada secretly flew out for trials in Norway last
month, but returned last week without having secured a deal and has since joined
Ea Lla Koto. The 25-year-old signed with Stars on what is believed to be a
two-year deal with an option of a third year. Obada’s contract with Moroka
Swallows expired last month and he joins Stars as a free agent. Despite
Swallows’ relegation from the PSL last season, Obada put in a solid shift in
attack, finishing the season with four goals in 16 league starts after battling
with injury early on in the campaign. Stars will register him as a
non-foreigner as he already holds permanent residency, having been in the
country since January 2008.
AmaZulu have
completed the signing of Ajax Cape Town defender Ayabulela Konqobe (Magqwaka)
on a season-long loan deal. The 19-year-old, who has changed his surname
from Magqwaka, impressed the Usuthu technical team while on trial and will
finally look to get some game-time under his belt. The former national Under-20
captain and current Under-23 defender was loaned to SuperSport United last
season but made just two appearances, while the season before he didn’t play at
all due to various disputes with the Urban Warriors.
Former Ajax Cape Town
attacker Clifford Mulenga has joined Zambian champions Zesco United. Mulenga
met his new teammates this morning after arriving in Ndola on Monday. The
Chipolopolo international left Ajax in June when his contract expired at
Ikamva. Mulenga also had stints at Mpumalanga Black Aces, SuperSport United and
Bloemfontein Celtic.
Bidvest Wits have announced the signing of Portuguese striker
Joaquim Lupeta.The 22-year-old was previously on the books of
Vitoria Setubal and is a former U-18 international, according to the Clever
Boys. Wits said on their website: “Bidvest Wits is pleased to announce the
signing of Portuguese striker Joaquim Lupeta. Lupeta is a former U18 Portuguese
international having last played for Portuguese premier league club V. Setubal.
He was also at the world renowned FC Porto Academy where he played youth
football for six years. Lupeta is 22 years old and was born in Portugal,
although he is of Congolese descent, his parents having been born in the former
Republic of Zaire. We are excited to have Lupeta join the Bidvest Wits family,
and wish him a successful career at our club.”
Camaldine Abraw has
been banned from football for the next six months after signing two contracts
with Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic. “He has been banned for six
months for signing the two contracts, so he will be back in January. A decision
was also taken that the player belongs to Kaizer Chiefs,” a source said. As for
which team owns the player, the rules state that the contract lodged with the
PSL first will be accepted unless compelling evidence is led which causes the
DRC to come to a different conclusion. However, Chiefs and Celtic are yet to
comment on the outcome.
SA Players abroad
round-up
Ayanda Patosi was named Man of the Match, Lebogang Phiri scored,
Andile Jali was benched, while Thulani Serero and Anele Ngcongca again missed
out for their European clubs on the weekend.
KAGISHO DIKGACOI – Dikgacoi continued his comeback from
injury with another solid display as English Championship side Cardiff City
rescued a 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers.
ANDILE JALI – Jali
started on the bench for KV Oostende but played the final 13 minutes as his
side grabbed an excellent 3-1 victory over fancied Anderlecht to move to the
top of the table in Belgium.
DARREN KEET – Goalkeeper Keet played for Kortrijk as they
conceded deep into injury time to lose 2-1 to champions Club Brugge in Belgium.
KAMOHELO MOKOTJO – A
tough afternoon for Mokotjo and FC Twente as he played in the 4-1 home loss to
ADO Den Haag on Saturday.
ANELE NGCONGCA – Ngcongca was again an unused substitute for
Genk in their 2-1 win over Westerlo.
AYANDA NKILI – Nkili was on the bench for Swedish topflight
strugglers Orebro as they lost 1-0 at GIF Sundsvall.
KGOSI NTLHE – Ntlhe played for League One Peterborough
United as they collected a first win of the league season with a 2-1 win over
Colchester United.
AYANDA PATOSI – Patosi
won Man of the Match after helping his Belgian side Lokeren to their first win
of the league season with a 2-0 victory over Mechelen. It was a continuation of
his fine form this season.
LEBOGANG PHIRI – Phiri
scored his first goal of the season as Brondby thumped Viborg 4-0 away from
home, also their first win of the new campaign.
BRADLEY RALANI – Ralani played the final half-hour as Danish
second-tier side Lyngby lost their first game of the season 2-1 at Vendsyssel.
with an ankle injury in their 3-0 win over Willem II.