Buckley signs for Maritzburg
MARITZBURG United believe they need to make at least four more signings for the new PSL season, after recruiting two men from the German lower leagues and a Kaizer Chiefs reject.
The “Team of Choice” yesterday announced the “capture” of veteran left winger Delron Buckley, Dutch journeyman forward Orlando Smeekes and attacking midfielder Mthokozisi Yende from Chiefs.
Buckley, who turns 35 in December, and Smeekes, 31, were signed as free agents after finishing stints with modest German clubs Karlsruher SC and SV Wehen Wiesbaden respectively, while 28-year-old Yende is on loan for a season and can then be bought outright by Maritzburg if they wish.
Following the announcement, at which Umbro was also publicised as the club’s new kit supplier, chairman Farook Kadodia and coach Ernst Middendorp said finding a solid leftback was now their main priority, but they were also shopping for another striker, a right midfielder and a central defender.
“The leftback position has been unsettled for two seasons, so we really need to take care of that. And we are obviously going to need a replacement for central defender Mor Diouf if he moves as expected,” said Kadodia, who has Morne Davids, Prince Olomu, Calvin Sosibo and Diyo Sibisi on the transfer list following the sale of Felix Obada and Kurt Lentjies recently.
“While we don’t have a title sponsor, we still have to come up with a competitive team, as I believe the PSL will be even stronger in the new season than it was last season.”
Middendorp said he hoped to have negotiations for the other new players finalised soon so that he could have a good pre-season with them. More foreign players were in the pipeline, including two from West Africa.
Meanwhile, Buckley claimed he was not too old to make an impact in the PSL.
“The coach wants to form a good unit. I still feel good and will play until the bones say no,” said the Durban-born former Bafana Bafana star on his return from 18 years in Europe.
Maritzburg play their first official match on the weekend of August 11/12.