ALLY FORGIVES ‘RIO’, MIDFIELDER RETURNS
MBABANE – Former Young Buffaloes development and senior team youngster Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa’s apology has been accepted by his team Mbabane Highlanders.
A fortnight ago, the midfielder who had been missing without official leave from the club, even missed pre-season training, texted Highlanders’ South African Director Chief Ally Kgomongwe to sincerely apologise for his behaviour as he had not finished last season with the club. He was released alongside some of the South African stars including Siphamandla Mlilo and went for trials in South Africa. However, nothing worked out for the former senior national team star.
He was signed for a reported E100 000 transfer fee from his parent club Buffaloes had played his elite football mostly with Moneni Pirates. “The technical bench and top management were busy with that matter last week when we temporarily suspended training to consider means to keep our players safe. We’re back at training and almost everyone is expected to return this week. ‘Rio’ is also back with us since yesterday (Monday),” Inkunz’emnyama PRO Mandla Madonsela confirmed the matter yesterday.
He said the player’s late return was also addressed at the training ground with the rest of the players so they welcomed him back into the team. “The director consulted with management and the technical bench which is led by Mavuso and he has confirmed it too that they agreed to allow the player back after discussing the matter at length with him as well,” he explained.
Commitment
Kgomongwe also affirmed the latest news. “He’s at training already and the coach confirmed he returned yesterday (Monday). He’s got to show commitment as he is still a young player with a lot to lose if he doesn’t focus yet he has talent,” Kgomongwe said. The director emphasised that he allowed him back because he was a young and talented player who needed guidance and as a parent, he (Kgomongwe) felt pity for the player he paid E100 000 for and gave a five-year contract.
‘Rio’ has three more seasons to go with the black and white side. Efforts to get comment from the player proved futile at the time and he had not responded to a text sent to him.
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