Rantie given the boot as Cape Town City welcome Kermit Erasmus

CAPE TOWN City captain, Thamsanqa Mkhize, was left with mix emotions yesterday as he saw Tokelo Rantie departing the Citizens while the club welcomed the arrival of Kermit Erasmus.

Erasmus penned a two and half year deal with City. Mkhize was left with mix emotions following the club’s decision to sign Erasmus and sending Rantie packing.

“Kermit is a good player. He will add value in to the team. We are happy to have him on board because we want to achieve a lot as a team and players like him can help us fulfil our goals,” Mkhize said.

Erasmus struggled to establish himself in Europe. The 28-year-old left Orlando Pirates back in 2016 to join the French outfit, Renner, where he found it hard to break in to the starting eleven.

In 2016, he was loaned to Lens in the French First Division.

“He is going to strengthen our team. He is very sharp in front of goals and he will benefit a lot from the likes of Pato (Ayanda Patosi upfront). Kermit scores and created goals. He has gained a lot of experience during his time in Europe. Young players will also learned a lot from him, “he added.

Erasmus joined AFC Eskilstuna (in Sweden) early this year and then left the club in June to sign with Vitoria de Setubal of Portugal.

Rantie made way for Erasmus without even making his debut.

“We were all shocked when we heard that he was leaving. When we play together we become brothers. Rantie was our brother. It is painful to hear that he is leaving because that’s means he is now without a job. We knew his personality. We were used to him and we were all looking forward to see him helping us with goals. I wish him all the best of luck in his new chapter. We really enjoyed his time at the club, “Mkhize explained.

Rantie joined City rusty but his problems with his wife didn’t help his course. The former Bafana Bafana marksman is going through a difficult phase in his marriage.

City shared the spoils with Chippa United on Tuesday following a 1-1 stalemate at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town in an Absa Premiership tussle.

“We are not satisfied about where we are right now. We are not unhappy but we are also not happy with what we’ve done in the league. We are not searing comfortable on the log. Normally during this time of the year, we will be second or third on the log. We have to push for more, “Mkhize stated.

City have collected 17 points after 13 games. The Citizens will wrap up the season against Bloemfontein Celtic on December 22 at Cape Town Stadium.