Matete out in the cold
Former Baroka FC dribbling wizard Tsepo Matete (below) is stressing about finding a new home after being released by Botswanan club Township Rollers recently. According to a source, the winger has been trying to contact clubs to see if they can accommodate him but nothing has materialised so far. “It’s so sad for him, the guy loves football. He is still in disbelief as to how he was deemed surplus to requirements at Rollers and is now struggling to find a new team. Some players are busy getting ready for the new season and he is out here training alone. He is also playing amateur tournaments in townships just to keep in the right frame of mind. I hope something comes up quickly for him even if it’s in the National First Division. I don’t think he will mind because all he wants to do is play,” said the source. Slap in the face for Badenhorst
Swaziland playmaker Felix Badenhorst (above) was left confused when his deal to join Absa Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs fell through at the last minute. The 27-year-old was preparing to join Amakhosi before the start of last season and he was awaiting a call to inform him when to come. However, he was told he was no longer needed. “A deal had been struck and he had agreed personal terms but his move kept being postponed until he was eventually told to forget it. He was really hurt because he had always wanted to make a step up in his career. We suspect someone at Chiefs didn’t like the fact he was represented by former Chiefs star Abel Shongwe,” claimed the source. The former Mbabane Swallows star has now joined National First Division side Mbombela United. Twala awaiting Stars decision
Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder William Twala (above) is heading for a new chapter in his career as he looks set to sign a deal with Free State Stars, who have asked him to train with them as negotiations continue. “He is training with them and hopefully everything will be finalised this week. He has been frustrated since Chiefs decided not to renew his contract,” said the source. Twala spent the past season on loan at Maritzburg United but they didn’t offer him a permanent deal when he became a free agent. “Maritzburg were keen and he was also interested as he had got used to how they did things but what they offered him was way below what he is used to. He would have had to go through a drastic lifestyle change. He is now hoping Stars will give him something decent enough,” added the source. Sirino to get a pet name
It has been a long tradition for South African football fans to give nicknames to players and Mamelodi Sundowns’ new striker Gaston Sirino (above) is next in line to be bestowed that honour by the Masandawana faithful. The club’s fans took to social media to suggest a pet name for the Uruguayan star, some suggesting “Stima Mollo”, which is loosely translated as fire extinguisher, while other Facebook users called him Smooth Operator and the iconic BMW vehicle Gushehse. Sirino was the Man-of-the-Match in Downs’ 2-1 win over Togolese side AS Togo-Port in the Caf Champions League on Friday night and is tipped to be the main orchestrator in Sundowns’ attack now with Percy Tau and Khama Billiat having left the club.