‘Quality’ Manyama ‘should be transferred at the right price’
CAPE TOWN City have rejected an offer from a Turkish side Karubuspor for the services of their captain and Bafana Bafana attacker Lebogang Manyama.
The Citizens’ chairman John Comitis said yesterday they were not happy with the offer the Turkish club put on the table.
“Manyama had an offer from the Turkish side. We have to wait and see whether they will come with something better or not.
“He is a quality player and he should be transferred at the right price,” Comitis explained.
Manyama is currently rated as one of the best players in South Africa, having won the Footballer of the Season and the Player’s Player of the Season titles at the PSL Awards last season. He also captured the Golden Boot award.
He has travelled with the national team to Cape Verde for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier on Friday, with the return match scheduled for Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.
Manyama was absent from the team this past weekend when City beat Bidvest Wits in their MTN8 semifinal, first leg clash. His coach Benni McCarthy explained the omission of Manyama was because the player’s ‘head wasn’t in the right place’, following weeks of transfer speculation.
Mamelodi Sundowns are also said to be in the hunt for Manyama, but Comitis has made it clear the player will only move to an overseas club.
“I won’t sell Manyama to a local team. There are no offers for Manyama in South Africa.
“Even if there were any, I don’t have any intentions of selling Manyama locally,” Comitis explained.
City have started the season like a house on fire, under the guidance of legendary former Bafana striker McCarthy.
They have won all four of their matches, two each in the league and the MTN8. This includes victories over Wits, ironically title holders of both competitions.
“I’m happy with the progress of the team, though I feel we can even get better. We are winning but we are not playing good football,” Comitis said. “I want to see the combination of good football and the results.
The club, however, would be adding to their squad, Comits said.
“At this stage it is highly unlikely that we will make a signing ahead of the transfer window closing on Thursday.”