Tug of war for top striker continues
FREE-SCORING striker Edward Manqele, who has been at the centre of a protracted tug of war between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, is going nowhere.
Chiefs have made public advances for the in-demand player – who joined Moroka Swallows on loan from Sundowns five months ago – over the past few weeks but the Brazilians are adamant that he will see out the remaining months of his loan deal until the end of the season.
So desperate were Amakhosi to land Manqele that they were even prepared to offer Downs one of their rising stars, George Lebese, in a swap deal that was to happen during the current Premier Soccer League transfer window.
‘‘He is staying put at Moroka Swallows,” Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane said as he cleared the air over the future of a player they loaned to the Birds in August.
Mosimane’s declaration will bring to an end widely publicised reports that Manqele would be going to Chiefs.
‘‘The situation has not changed. He remains on loan until the end of the season. We will make a decision [on his future] at the end of the loan period,” Mosimane insisted.
Manqele’s agent, Karabo Mathale, said yesterday the player was desperate to join Chiefs, despite the tough stance adopted by Sundowns. ‘‘ He wants to go to Kaizer Chiefs,” Mthale said yesterday.
‘‘We will be guided by Mamelodi Sundowns. I will be meeting Sundowns on Monday. If he does not go back to Sundowns, he will go to Chiefs. That s the only club he is interested in joining.”
The player himself was more guarded and said there was nothing he could do as his hands were tied in the ensuing uncertainty.
‘‘I am employed by Sundowns and it’s up to them to decide my future,” Manqele said yesterday.
‘‘But I am happy with my performances which also gave me the opportunity to play for Bafana Bafana.
“I am able to score more goals because of the system they are using at Swallows. I am never short of supply from the guys.
“I knew that, if given a chance, I would play to my full potential. I am aware of what is going on around me and I will not allow it to affect my game.”
Chiefs general manager Bobby Motaung was quoted on his club’s website as saying that they had made an offer to Downs and also engaged Swallows on the long-running saga.
Manqele has been in scintillating form since joining Swallows and has scored five goals in 14 outings in the Birds’ colours since August.