Xundu opts out of the Tigers den to hit Tornado trail
FUTURE Tigers has lost another influential player after Ruwan Dikela Xundu jumped ship to join ABC Motsepe League log-leaders Tornado.
The former Mthatha Bucks marksman made his debut at the Mdantsane-outfit at the weekend where he scored two goals as Tornado beat Mthatha City 7-0 at the North End Stadium.
Xundu said he was proud to score on debut for Tornado as the team had been looking for his signature since the beginning of the 2017-18 season.
The Ngcobo-born playmaker, who now resides in Vergenoeg, said he wanted to ensure that his new team had no regrets for giving him an opportunity as the club gets closer to the National First Division (NFD) playoffs although he acknowledges that there is still more work to be done.
“When they approached me I requested for a bit more time before discussing anything concrete. And I think this was a good move right now for me because this team is on top of the log and I’m looking forward to making my contribution that can hopefully help the team go all the way.
“At Tigers they didn’t have problems with me leaving the team, because they told me the decision was entirely mine.”
Xundu said after being approached by Tornado’s management last year he evaluated the log-standings of his former club. He made a decision to sign up with the log-leaders after Tigers lost 2-1 to Sibanye at Gelvandale Stadium in Port Elizabeth late last month.
“I then gathered my thoughts on the matter and I decided to contact Tornado’s team manager, and I accepted their offer.
“I scored for Tigers [against Sibanye], but after the game I told the boss that I’m no longer good for this team and I might make a move soon to join to Tornado which I did the following week.”
He said during the first half of his debut he was under immense pressure wanting to do better so he could impress his new paymasters and was relieved everything went according to plan thereafter.
“I refreshed my mind after my teammates told me to relax, so I took my experience and went back on the game, and things got a bit better afterwards,” he said.
Xundu said he received a warm welcome at Tornado and he was also glad that there was no bad blood with his previous employer.
“I wish Tigers all the best of luck for remainder of the season and to the management thanks for giving me a shot when I needed one.
“I also appreciate the way they handled my departure because there’s no hard feelings. They wished me the best of luck in my journey.”
Xundu is the second player from Tigers crème de la crème to leave the Ginsberg-based outfit after Zithulele “Alla” Mhlontlo was signed by the NFD side, University of Pretoria.
Mhlontlo has been doing well at AmaTuks, and this past weekend he scored the goal that helped the HighPerformance Centre-based outfit hold Mthatha Bucks to 1-1 draw at Mthatha Stadium.