‘We’ll manage without Zothwane,’ say Arrows
AS PREMIER Soccer League clubs look to finalise their squads for the new season beginning next week, Golden Arrows have reacted bravely to the departure of their talented playmaker Papi Zothwane to big-spending Mamelodi Sundowns.
Zothwane has signed a three-year deal with Sundowns for an undisclosed fee.
During the negotiations he alleged that Arrows were stalling the move by asking for a hefty R4 million, but it is believed the clubs finally settled on approximately half that figure this week.
Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi says the move is good for Zothwane, who stands to earn more at a bigger club and potentially put his hand on silverware, but it can be overcome by Arrows.
He said yesterday that could be seen in the fact that Arrows finished as high as fifth in the league last season despite Zothwane missing most of the campaign through injury.
“I believe we will manage without him. We have other players who have done the job in his absence,” said Mngqithi convincingly.
Arrows are also set to lose midfield anchor Kagisho Dikgacoi to English club Fulham, but will be handsomely compensated.
The Bafana player was due to undergo a physical test in London yesterday with the two parties having already agreed financial terms. The deal could be in excess of R10 million.
In the absence of Zothwane and Dikgacoi, it is to the likes of Zothwane’s younger brother, Nhlanhla, and Thanduyise Khuboni that coach Mngqithi will look to keep the central midfield ticking.
Active
As usual, Sundowns have been very active in the local transfer market with their big chequebook. They have notably also signed Lebohang Mokoena from Orlando Pirates and Ajax stars Eduardo Ferreira and Mabhudi Khenyeza. Zothwane actually gets to renew a partnership with Khenyeza, who previously played for Arrows before moving to Kaizer Chiefs, Ajax and now Sundowns.
Maritzburg United, meanwhile, have completed the signing of young midfielder Musa Nyatama from Thanda Royals, bringing to 10 the total number of signings made by the unsponsored club to date.
In addition, deals for two Senegalese players, central defender Mor Diouf and attacking midfielder Vito Badiane, are being finalised by the “Team of Choice”, who open their league campaign with a match against defending champions SuperSport United at home next Friday.
Also on the transfer front, AmaZulu have given Zululandborn striker Ayanda Dlamini a three-year-contract and they hope he will turn out as effective as Brad Ritson, who scored several important goals for the club last season despite his lack of professional experience.
Coach Neil Tovey still has several foreign trial players under him in training and says he will decide by the weekend which two deserve to be signed.
The hopefuls are Brazilian striker Christiano dos Santos, Nigerian midfielder Rafui Salawudden, Ghanaian striker Abdulla Yusuf and Nigerian forward Abdullah Ishaka.
Having signed five players so far, including Argentinianborn goalkeeper Nick Gindre from Wimbledon in England, two more recruits will bring Usuthu’s squad total to 29, enough to tackle the tight programme that lies ahead.