Cape Times

No stopping Moeneeb, as he adds to his 20 years as a profession­al

- Mazola Molefe

JOHANNESBU­RG: Veteran goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, who turns 38 in May, is almost certainly set to retire a Bidvest Wits player after he extended his contract at the club for two more years, he confirmed at the weekend.

‘Slim Kat’ as the ex-Bafana Bafana internatio­nal is affectiona­tely known, helped the Clever Boys win the championsh­ip for the first time in 96 years of existence last season and hopes there is still plenty more to achieve before he hangs up his gloves.

Mitchells Plain-born Josephs made his debut for Cape Town Spurs back in the 1997/98 season, and afterwards played for Ajax Cape Town.

He played in Bafana’s final game at the 2010 World Cup.

“I am just grateful for the opportunit­y. I can only appreciate what Wits has done,” said Josephs. “It is not easy for a team to show this much appreciati­on to a player. The opportunit­y alone is great, but they have now gone and extended my contract.”

He rejoined Wits from Orlando Pirates, where he won two league titles, in 2013 and has been there since, playing a key role as the mentality of the club switched from being a mid-table team to challengin­g for trophies.

Josephs lost his place as a regular at Wits at the beginning of last season with the arrival of Darren Keet, but remains a key figure in the dressing room.

So far this season, the experience­d keeper has only managed 10 games in all competitio­ns – and that was due to Keet being injured.

“Of course I always want to play,” said Josephs. “I am as hungry as an 18-year-old. We didn’t have a good season, but we have a trophy (Telkom Knockout) in the cabinet. That’s more than most teams. And there is more to work towards.”

Wits are desperate to finish strong in their final seven games by making the top eight having been bottom of the log around Christmas. They are currently in 10th place.

 ?? Picture: BACKPAGEPI­X ?? CONTRACT EXTENSION: Moeneeb Josephs has penned a new two-year deal with Wits
Picture: BACKPAGEPI­X CONTRACT EXTENSION: Moeneeb Josephs has penned a new two-year deal with Wits

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