Chilli Boys lose star player
Pirates beef up squad by signing Chilli Boys midfielder Sangweni
THE domestic premiership transfer window stepped up a gear after Orlando Pirates confirmed the signing of midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni from Chippa United yesterday. The 28-year-old Sangweni has signed a three-year contract and follows in his elder brother, Siyabonga’s, footsteps‚ a tough-as-teak defender who established himself as one of Pirates’ defensive mainstays before injury forced him out of the game in April last year.
“I am very happy to have joined the club‚” Sangweni said.
“I look forward to making a positive contribution and help the team to bounce back to where we all know it belongs.
“I would like to thank the chairman‚ the staff and the supporters of Chippa United for all they have done for me‚ I will be forever grateful.”
The older Sangweni endeared himself to the Pirates supporters in his prime, but was advised by doctors to call time on his career at the age of 34 because of injuries.
Such was his dedication to the club that he even postponed his wedding to play for Pirates in a tricky Caf Champions League match against Esperance.
Pirates will want to forget the recently ended season in a hurry after they finished the campaign outside of the top eight for the first time since the Premier Soccer League’s inception in 1996.
As if that was not enough‚ the limping Bucs were handed a humiliating 4-1 thumping by regular tormentors SuperSport United in the final of the Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last month.
The younger Sangweni’s arrival is perhaps an attempt to remedy the ills of last season.
Meanwhile, the stage is set for a tight three-way battle for the PSL Footballer of the Season award in a race that has been described as the closest in many years.
Bidvest Wits captain Thulani Hlatshwayo‚ Cape Town City star Lebogang Manyama and Mamelodi Sundowns veteran Hlompho Kekana are the three men vying for an accolade that PSL spokesman Lux September revealed was too close to call.
“This is by far the closest when it comes to the number of votes from the coaches when it comes to the Footballer of the Season‚” he said.
“There is always a clear winner normally, but this season it is by far the closest when it comes to the numbers.”
Sammy Troughton has bounced back after the disappointment of missing out on promotion with Stellenbosch FC and has taken up a two-year deal with Free State Stars. He starts work today‚ just two weeks after his contract at the National First Division club was ended.
“I like what he did with Stellenbosch with what was an average squad and he has knowledge of the local scene‚” Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena said yesterday.
“It is very dangerous these days to try and bring in a coach from outside who does not have any knowledge of the PSL.”