Mashikinya to the rescue

Malatjie tells why they pounced on ‘free agent’

Sekhukhune United CEO Jonas Malatjie has explained how they signed midfielder Given Mashikinya, who joined them from Maritzburg United.

Mashikinya was unveiled as Sekhukhune player on Wednesday in a shock move as he had joined Maritzburg at the beginning of the season on a two-year deal.

Malatjie said they were approached by Mashikinya’s agent Jazzman Mahlakgane and he was told that the player is available for free after the Team of Choice decided to terminate his contract.

“When we signed him he was a free agent and we are happy because we didn’t have a number six, so when he was presented to us we could not refuse,” Malatjie explained. “Mashikinya is a good player and there is no doubt he will add value to the club.”

Why Mashikinya’s contract was terminated by Maritzburg is not clear, and chair Farook Kadodia and agent Mahlakgane could not be reached for a comment yesterday.

Mashikinya, who comes as a replacement for retired Willard Katsande, said he will use his experience to help Sekhukhune move away from relegation zone. “I’m happy to be here. The move was supposed to happen earlier on but based on circumstances it had to happen now,” he told the club’s media department.

Sekhukhune are languishing at the bottom of the PSL table with 11 points from 12 matches.