RANTIE IS JOINING ‘BULL’ – SA AGENT

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.

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