New homes for Wits stars?
WITS CEO: PLAYERS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO JOIN TTM
Star names are unlikely to have any trouble finding new clubs to join for next season.
The sale of Bidvest Wits to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, finally confirmed by Wits this week, has thrown up in the air the future of all players at the club formerly known as the Clever Boys.
Wits chairman Alan Fainman promised in a statement this week to honour the contracts of all his players, and none of the Wits squad are under any obligation to join TTM in the Limpopo province next season.
Star names like Thulani Hlatshwayo, Deon Hotto, Gift Motupa and Haashim Domingo are unlikely to have trouble finding new clubs, if and when the 2020/21
Premier Soccer League campaign begins. Hlatshwayo is already believed to have chosen his boyhood favourites Orlando Pirates over Mamelodi Sundowns, while reports suggest Hotto will also join the Buccaneers. Domingo, meanwhile, is likely to join Sundowns.
Football agent Mike Makaab, meanwhile, has not ruled out the possibility of his three Wits players – Lorenzo Gordinho, Brighton Mhlongo and Terrence Dzvukumanja – staying at TTM.
“We will wait and see,” said Makaab yesterday.
“We also have to understand that in these times you have to be thankful to have employment. I said to the players, everything has to be looked at from a sensible point of view and you can’t allow emotions to get involved. I have not been formally approached by the new owners (of TTM) or Wits in relation to this. Until the PSL ratify (the sale) the players will continue to work.”
Wits defender Buhle Mkhwanazi, meanwhile, looks unlikely to move to TTM, but has not decided yet where his future lies.
“He has a year left on his contract with Wits…let’s see if the PSL ratify it (the sale),” said Mkhwanazi’s agent Paul Mitchell yesterday.
The added complication in terms of new signings, and one reason why nothing is likely to be officially announced any time soon, is that right now it is unclear when the 2019/20 season will end and the 2020/21 season begin.
As of yesterday, no clubs had returned to non-contact training, waiting for the Premier Soccer League to give them the go-ahead, after government announced that limited training for contact sports in South Africa could take place under lockdown Level 3.
Makaaab also expressed his concern that no blanket decision has been taken on players whose contracts expire on 30 June, or those who signed pre-contracts with other clubs for next season.
“If the season is extended there should be a blanket policy that existing contracts are automatically extended… and new contracts are reduced…there is no clarity.”