Chiefs to keep master backstop in club longer
KAIZER Chiefs’ star centreback Mulomowandau Mathoho is set to sign a new contract at the club.
Chiefs are hoping to secure the new deal with Mathoho‚ whose current contract runs until June‚ this week‚ Times Media Digitial is informed.
Chiefs are believed to be especially keen to tie up their Bafana Bafana stalwart defender given interest from Mamelodi Sundowns.
All-conquering African and PSL champions Downs are believed to be keen on Mathoho to strengthen the one suspect area of their star-studded squad in central defence.
Ever-present 26-year-old centreback Mathoho was a key figure in Chiefs’ league and cup double-winning combinations of the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons.
He has been a stalwart for Amakhosi this season in a side that started struggling‚ but finished 2016 more convincingly.
Mathoho has reportedly also received interest from European clubs for his signature.
Chiefs’ football manager Bobby Motaung has said the club will make major transfer announcements this week‚ where Italian striker Gustavo Paez is set to be announced as a new signing at Naturena.
Meanwhile, Chiefs are expected to announce soon that they will release flop strikers Edward Manqele and Siphelele Mthembu from their contracts.
This follows the reported signing at the Soweto giants of Italian striker Gustavo Paez.
Manqele and Mthembu were both transfer-listed‚ along with defender Siyanda Xulu‚ ahead of the 2016-17 season in June last year‚ though‚ with no interested buyers the trio remained at Naturena.
However‚ it seems Amakhosi’s patience with the goal-shy strikers has run thin.
Manqele’s contract still runs until June 2018.
He signed on a three-year deal in August 2015‚ having had a promising six months spent at Chippa United‚ to reunite with his former coach at Free State Stars‚ Amakhosi boss Steve Komphela.
Manqele had his best season at Stars in 2011-12‚ finishing third topscorer in the Premier League with 11 goals.
He struggled with weight and fitness in following seasons at Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Moroka Swallows and Chippa.
The 29-year-old striker has scored one goal in 20 league and cup appearances at Chiefs.
Mthembu‚ 29‚ signed from Platinum Stars at the end of the 2013-14 season‚ has scored one league goal and four times in cups in 41 appearances. — TMG