Buhle bullish about Wits chances
NEW Bidvest Wits signing Buhle Mkhwanazi, pictured, admits the club went to great lengths to snap him up, but denies the Clever Boys paid the University of Pretoria R7-million for his services, as has been reported recently.
Mkhwanazi, who has joined his new club after an impressive campaign last term as captain of AmaTuks, was linked with a move to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, but was attracted by Wits, a club he had trials with before even turning professional.
“I was with Wits for a few months on trials a few years, but things did go the way I thought they would. After that I went back home to Bloemfontein. I thought of giving up and going to study at university but I am happy that I have joined now because Wits is a great team.
“I thought Wits needed me more and they were willing to give Tuks what ever they wanted. People say it was R7-million, but it wasn’t,” said Mkhwanazi, who feels he has a better chance of playing at Wits and keeping his place in the Bafana Bafana team.
“I only knew about the interest from Sundowns and Pirates. But I looked at the Wits team and saw that they have lost a number of defenders, so I feel I have a chance of playing here. So now it’s up to me to take the opportunity that has been given to me seriously. I want to keep playing and I hope I can keep my place in the national team. I believe I will add value to the team.”
The Clever Boys were dark horses for the league title last season, but some inconsistent results towards the end of the campaign ended hopes of a first PSL crown. With the signings they have made this season, the likes of Thulani Hlatshwayo, Christopher Katongo and Henrico Botes, Mkhwanazi believes Wits can mount a tangible challenge for the coveted league trophy.
“I think we are going to surprise a whole lot of teams this season. We have got good players. We have Chris Katongo. He has played overseas and he won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia. His experience will help us a lot. We also have Thulani and Henrico Botes. You can see that this team is hungry for success and I believe we can win silverware this season. We have a good coach (Gavin Hunt) who knows what needs to be done to win things,” he said.
The 24 year old defendercum-midfielder is likely to make his debut for his new club against Celtic, a club he’s played for before, at Bidvest Stadium tonight (8pm) in the MTN8.