Times Of Swaziland: RANTIE IS  JOINING  ‘BULL’ –  SA AGENT

RANTIE IS  JOINING  ‘BULL’ –  SA AGENT
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BY CHRIS DLAMINI on 05/12/2020 08:25:00


MBABANE – Yet another big catch is underway for already star-studded Mbabane
Highlanders, as they have agreed terms with former South Africa’s Bafana
Bafana striker, Tokelo Rantie.
Just a few days ago, the travelled former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates
star, who has also played for England’s Bournemouth among other clubs in
different parts of the globe, was linked with Manzini Wanderers (last Saturday)
and then Mbabane Swallows on Wednesday by local print media. However, his agent,
France Mpedi, has availed himself to clarify the reports.
“We were alerted of the reports in Swaziland (Eswatini) about Rantie by a
friend based there. We read that he was linked with Manzini Wanderers and then
Mbabane Swallows, but I want to clarify that now. As I speak, we have just
agreed with Mbabane Highlanders’ boss that his next destination is Swaziland
(Eswatini) and he’s coming to join Highlanders,” Mpedi said.
He explained that Rantie was initially close to joining Kenya’s elite giants
Gor Mahia, but the deal fell through as they wanted to sign him for CAF
Champions League but there was no time. He said the player has agreed to join
the black and white capital giants who have also signed former Orlando Pirates
midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni, former Baroka FC star Mandisa Gadla and
Siphamandla Mlilo, a former Platinum Stars centre back two seasons ago among
others.
favoured
In their training, they also have Ghanaian forward, Johnson Mensah who is
favoured to be offered a contract and if that happens, it will mean the club
will have to make tough decisions on the already signed players to bring in
Rantie. Sources have also suggested some misconduct from some of the new signees
which could cost them their contracts. The foreign quota in the country is five
players per team.
“We must state it clearly that we’ve never had any engagement with Wanderers
or Swallows. Rantie is coming there but for Highlanders,” he said.
Highlanders’ South African boss, Chief Ally Kgomongwe, affirmed the news when
reached for comment.
“We worked on this all night and we’ve finally reached an agreement with
Rantie and his agent. He is coming to join us,” Kgomongwe said.
Questioned about the foreign quota issue, he said this was a matter he was
directly handling and will deal with once he was in the country as the league
was resuming next Saturday.
Best
“When I come, I will talk to the coaches, but Rantie is coming and I want us
to sign the best of the best we can,” he said.
Other team officials including assistant coach Siyabonga Bhembe who was given
the go ahead to assist with some of the foreign players’ recruitment through
his GladAfrica Championship connections while at Mbombela United, had been
referring the foreign quota issue to Kgomongwe. However, Bhembe said they would
wait for official word from the director otherwise Rantie was a huge player who
can also bring off-the-field value to club, especially with regards to its image
and fan base.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s KickOff had recently linked the player with a move
to Bloemfontein Celtic but ended up not signing.