Moeneeb ‘shell-shocked’ by Pirates snub
JOHANNESBURG: New Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs yesterday said he was shocked and hurt when he received the news that Orlando Pirates would not renew his contract.
Josephs, back at Wits for a second spell, spent five years with the Buccaneers, winning six trophies during that time. But after an injury-ravaged season in the last campaign, the player’s contract was not renewed when it expired at the end of June.
Josephs admits he had hoped the Buccaneers’ management would extend his contract and that he would play in the Caf Champions League, but it was not to be.
“At the beginning, I was shellshocked. I had been with the team for a while, and I was expecting something to happen. But at the time, Senzo Meyiwa was doing well. As a footballer, the quicker you realise that you have to move on, the better,” he said.
“But it was hard and it hurt to leave. Being at a club for five years and having to leave is always going to be hard. But that’s the way football works. I would have wanted to play in Africa, but it’s not to be. Things change and you move on. And thankfully, Bidvest Wits came to my rescue, and now I have to repay them.”
The 33-year-old Josephs, though, was happy to reflect on his five-year stay with the Buccaneers. “The first four years were unbelievable. They were brilliant. I’m going to miss playing at Orlando Stadium. I dedicate everything I achieved there to the supporters. I won six trophies with Pirates, and I do not regret anything.”
The former Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper has put the disappointment of not signing a new contract behind him, and he is looking to play regularly this season and get his place back in the national team. “It’s amazing to be back and see the whole new structure at the club. Everything is looking good. First, I’d just like to get playing. It’s been a while since I last played,” Josephs said.
“Then from there, the national team is always in the back of my mind, but I need to play regularly. I feel fit and I feel sharp. That’s how any player wants to feel before the start of a new season.”
Wits may have an experienced coach in Gavin Hunt, who has won the Premiership title three times, but Josephs has warned his teammates there is a long way to go before they can start thinking about lifting the biggest prize in SA football. Wits finished fourth last season under Clive Barker.
“To think of the championship now, it’s a bit far from now. We have a whole bunch of new players. They did well last season and we have joined and we want to take it a little bit further. This team should be competing and we have the players to do that. I want to achieve a lot here. I’m itching to get going.”
Wits play Platinum Stars in their opening game of the season on Sunday in Rustenburg.