Soccer Laduma

STELLIES TO EXERCISE MATSHEKE OPTION

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He may not be at the helm at Mamelodi Sundowns, but the Siya crew has been told that Manqoba Mngqithi is still a valued member of the technical team and there is a possibilit­y that a new deal could be on the cards for the coach.

Midfielder Darrel Matsheke is likely to have his contract at Stellenbos­ch FC extended before it expires, sources have confirmed.

Following the disappoint­ment of seeing his deal with Kaizer Chiefs terminated though he still had a year to run on it, the player joined the Winelands outfit in October and became an instant hit with his performanc­es. The 24-year-old has been bossing the midfield for coach Steve Barker’s side and has collected a few Man of the Match awards in the process, and was particular­ly key in the side winning

This week could be decisive for South African broadcaste­rs in determinin­g whether the Africa Cup of Nations is televised or not – as things stand, there has been no official word on a decision.

Both SuperSport and SABC have not revealed whether their platforms will join the plethora of media houses around the continent as well as elsewhere globally in beaming the 24-nation tournament held in Ivory Coast.

CAF recently concluded a media rights agreement with Togo-based broadcaste­r New World TV for freeto-air and pay-tv in Sub-Saharan the Carling Knockout last weekend.

Now, the Siya crew has learnt that plans are already in place for the defensive midfielder to have his contract extended.

“Stellenbos­ch FC is happy with Darrel Matsheke’s contributi­on and the coach has been impressed with his performanc­es. The plan is to keep him beyond this season,” a territorie­s until 2025, and this latest developmen­t means SuperSport and SABC have to go via Lomé.

And as such, last week the African football governing body held a seminar with more than 30 television channels to discuss plans around the Afcon.

Siya sources have confirmed SABC had representa­tives there, but it’s not clear whether SuperSport joined the conversati­on.

There were reports making the rounds last month that SuperSport were taking a different direction regarding media rights when it comes to African football following their source revealed.

“When he joined the club, not everyone was sure of how he would do as he was a free agent and appeared to have no one keen to offer him a contract. That’s why he was offered just a one-year deal. But the club does have an option to extend the contract for another year and that is what is likely to happen in a few weeks’ time,” concluded the informant.

CITY LINING UP NEW DEAL FOR MKHIZE

The Siya crew can confirm that Cape Town City are set to offer defender Thami Mkhize a new deal.

The player, who is the longestser­ving member of the Citizens squad, will enter into the last six months of his contract with the club, which is set to come to an end in June 2024. In February 2022, he put pen to paper on a two-year deal, as the Mother City-based outfit looked to reward him for his fine performanc­es on the field. Despite his advanced age of 35, word reaching this publicatio­n is that the club is lining up a new two-year contract for Mkhize. Indication­s from sources are that the deal will be structured in a way where the former Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United man will sign a new one-year deal, which includes the option to extend it for

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