MUNYAI TO BE STRIPPED OF ARMBAND?

News reaching the Siya crew is that Black Leopards’ captain, Marks Munyai, could be stripped of his armband after his decision to sign a pre-contract with a rival PSL club last week.

Sources told the crew that Munyai, a player the club had been trying to tie down to a new contract over the last several weeks before his current deal expires in June, has agreed terms with Highlands Park as of July 1 – a move that caught Leopards’ management by surprise.

The right back has been a consistent feature for Lidoda Duvha this season and was unavailable for their Nedbank Cup penalty shootout victory over Orlando Pirates two weekends ago as he was serving his one-match suspension.

Munyai could have returned to action last Sunday when Leopards suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic in their away Absa Premiership clash, but insiders say not only did he miss out because coach Dylan Kerr wanted to keep the same side that beat Pirates, but the pre-contract saga could have been a factor.

It is likely that he could be frozen out for the remainder of the season, although the red card to Khuliso Mudau at the weekend has opened the door for Munyai’s unexpected return.

Leopards are away to reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns tonight and Siya sources believe Kerr may be forced to recall the experienced defender, though he might not captain the team.