Tyson is not for sale – at any price
WITS chief executive Officer Jose Ferreira has no price tag for South Africa’s best defender Thulani “Tyson” Hlatshwayo, who has been linked with big clubs in Gauteng.
The Bafana Bafana and Wits captain was solid as a rock at the heart of defence for the Clever Boys last season. It did come as a surprise to many when he was chosen as the best defender in South Africa at the Premier Soccer League awards in Sandton last month.
“Hlatshwayo is Wits player. He still has a contract with us. No club has ever come to me regarding him. I’ve had numerous discussions with Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza but he has never said anything about Hlatshwayo. I’ve also had talks with Bobby Motaung of Kaizer Chiefs but he has never shown any interest in Hlatshwayo. Mamelodi Sundowns haven’t said anything to me about Hlatshwayo. Even if they did show interest, Hlatshwayo is not for sale,” added Ferreira.
Hlatshwayo propelled Wits to PSL glory last season. He also captained his team to MTN 8 success against Mamelodi Sundowns in Nelspruit last season.
Jabulani Shongwe is still under contract at Wits but is currently not training with the team.
“Shongwe asked to be released. He is not in our plans. If clubs want to buy him they must come with offers. There is interest but it is not concrete. I’m not in a position to mention the names of the clubs that are interested in a player,” said Ferreira.
Wits enjoyed one of the best seasons in 2016/17, capturing the double.
“We want to compete in all competitions. When I say in all competitions I also mean the Caf Champions League. Last season we tried but unfortunately luck was not on our side against Al Ahly,” Ferreira concluded.
Wits have sold Knox Mutizwa to Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Mutizwa is on form. Recently he propelled Zimbabwe to Cosafa Cup triumph where he was chosen as the best player. He scored five goals in six matches.
Mutizwa was on loan at Arrows for the second half of the season. He made an instant impact, scoring five goals in 12 appearances for Abafana Bes’thende, including a crucial goal that ensured Top 8 for Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium against Orlando Pirates in their final league match.
Wits CEO Jose Fereira confirmed that Mutizwa is no longer their player.
“We’ve sold Mutizwa to Lamontville Golden Arrows,” Ferreira confirmed.
Mutizwa found it difficult to break in to Wits’ starting eleven. Wits boast a formidable strike force that is made up of Eleazar Rodgers, James Keene and Gabadinho Mhango.
Mutizwa has already set sight on scooping the PSL Golden Boots this upcoming season.
“They welcomed me well here at Arrows. I hope to score ore goals then I scored last season. I’m happy to be back at Arrows. They gave me a chance to shine in the Absa Premiership. My goal this season is to be a top goal-scorer. If we can win one trophy and cement our place in the top eight I will be even more happy. When I came back the coach told me that he’d be happy If I can net 15 goals. He told me that If I can score five goals in 12 matches then in 30 matches I must score 15 goals. I’m up for the challenge,” Mutizwa elaborated.
Mutizwa will face his old employers in the quarter-final of the MTN 8. The Students will lock horns with Abafana Bes’thende next Friday. The kickoff is at 8pm at Bidvest Stadium.
“I’m not going to go into the field of play with the mentality of proving a point. I don’t have any point to prove. All I want to do is help Arrows beat Wits by scoring goals or setting them up,” Mutizwa explained.
The Premier Soccer League has been spoiled by quality Zimbabwean strikers over the years. Players like Wilfred Mugeyi, Benjani Mwaruwari, Knowledge Musona, Gilbert Mushangazhike and Kingston Nkhatha.
“The pressure is there to keep the standard of Zimbabwean players going. Zimbabwean players have set the standard high. I also want to leave my mark in South Africa. Musona won the top scorer in South Africa and in Zimbabwe. I’ve won the top scorer in Zimbabwe and I want to win here in South African now. In Zim I grew up looking up to Peter Ndlovu. He is from KwaBulawayo and I’m also from the same area,” said Mutizwa.