Comitis cool with Manyama’s move
CAPE Town City chairman, John Comitis, doesn’t have any hard feelings towards Lebogang Manyama for joining Kaizer Chiefs.
The Citizens were keeping a close eye on Manyama’s situation. Manyama was a free agent after leaving Turkish outfit, Konyaspor.
He was on the radar of Amakhosi, Mamelodi Sundowns, City and Bidvest Wits. SuperSport United pulled out of the race because of Manyama’s high package.
He penned a three-year deal on Wednesday with Amakhosi.
Manyama was on the books of City before moving to Konyaspor. Comitis also gave Manyama his Premier Soccer League debut when they were still together at Ajax Cape Town.
Speaking with Independent Media, Comitis was cool with Manyama joining Chiefs. “Lebo wanted to be in one of the Johannesburg clubs, we respected that. I’m happy that he settled for Chiefs because he has always wanted to play there. I wish him all the best,” Comitis said.
Manyama is set to partner with Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat upfront for Amakhosi in what promises to be a very potent front three that can easily tear apart any opposition in the local scene.
Amakhosi have only netted two goals in four league matches this season. Manyama and Billiat formed a very lethal partnership during their spells with Ajax Cape Town. Chiefs fans will be expecting something similar to that.
The Bafana star attacker is set to make his debut this weekend against his former team, SuperSport United, in the semi-final of the MTN8. Chiefs will travel to Lucas Moripe Stadium to face Matsatsantsa A Pitori in the first leg on Sunday.
The second leg will be staged at FNB Stadium on September 1.
Chiefs got the better of Free State Stars 3-0 to book themselves a place in the last four. The glamour boys are still looking to end their three-season trophy drought. They are the most successful team in the MTN8 competition’s history.
On the other hand, City will shift their focus from the disappointment of missing out on Manyama to their MTN8 semi-final clash against Mamelodi Sundowns tomorrow at Cape Town Stadium at 3pm.
Last season, City fell short as they succumbed to SuperSport on penalties in the final of the MTN8.
Meanwhile, the manager of Siphiwe “Shabba” Tshabalala, Jazzman Mahlakgane, has confirmed that Shabba is a wanted man in Turkey.
On Wednesday, murmurs were rife that Tshabalala is set to leave Amakhosi and join Erzurumspor. “Yes it is true that Shabba is wanted in Turkey but let us wait until everything is done. You guys will kill this deal. Give us some time,” Mahlakgane said.
Tshabalala joined Amakhosi in 2007 from Free State Stars. He scored the first goal for Bafana Bafana in the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
The 33-year-old left footer has captured every trophy on offer on the domestic front.