TTM ’KEEPER MANAVHELA FOR ‘BULL’

MBABANE – Capital City giants Mbabane Highlanders are set to make a big catch over this ongoing window period as they are set to secure a new sheriff from Motsepe Foundation Championship side.

Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) shot stopper Bongani Manavhela, is reportedly with the team in their South Africa’s (SA) camp ahead of their crunch fixture with MTN Premier League log leaders Young Buffaloes tomorrow. Manavhela’s images donning the Bull’s replica were leaked on social media on Thursday afternoon. It was yesterday that he also made his intensions clear to play domestic league with SA’s leading newspaper Soccer Betting News.

“Yeah, because on my side, I’m considering two moves which are outside the country. There is one in Botswana and there is also one in Swaziland (Eswatini), which we have been negotiating during this window because I am currently on my last six months with TTM. So, I’m considering those two moves, which if they happened, both teams are in the Premier League, their stands are higher, I have done my research about both teams. They are run professionally,” Manavhela told the newspaper.

Signature

VTM FC is a Botswana-based side that is also in the race to secure his signature. The 30-year-old former Polokwane City goalie has claimed that his move out of TTM was initiated by the club’s poor performance as they have lost four consecutive games while also highlighting some financial struggles in the team.  He joined TTM from JDR Stars and his contract will expire with the incumbent at the end of this season. He also told Soccer Betting News that he was ready to quit TTM should any of his two standing offers prevail. The player emerged at Highlanders, who were camped in Pretoria, SA all week ahead of their tough second round opener as they chase the title this time around. Royal Leopard won it last season while Highlanders finished as runners-up and Buffaloes were third. Five points stand between the leaders in fourth-placed Highlanders.

Denied

Reached for comment, Highlanders Public Relations Officer (PRO) Kenneth Dlamini, denied the news and said they were still fresh to him. He admitted that he had seen the images of the goal minder next to their Sprinter and in their colours but attributed it to Photoshop despite the player’s own admission in an interview with a South African newspaper yesterday.  Should Highlanders sign Manavhela, he would be joining his fellow countrymen in wingers Kenneth ‘Mashaba’ Moloto and Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha. He will also likely become cover to first choice goalkeeper and Captain Khanyakwezwe Shabalala who is also in the senior national team Sihlangu.

Meanwhile, Highlanders Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe confirmed the player’s presence in their camp. “We haven’t finalised anything yet but we’re looking at bringing another goalkeeper to work with the ones we have now, a striker and defender but we’re yet to tie our deals with the players we’re currently assessing. We want to have a very strong team and return to Africa next year as league champions so it all starts now, we’re preparing for CAF,” he said.

Unveil

He added that once they were done, they would officially unveil their new additions as they look to return to Africa again but this time as champions of the MTN Premier League. Kgomongwe explained that while they were aware of Manavhela’s offer in Botswana, they were confident of giving him better if they decide to sign him. He will be Highlanders’ fourth foreign player as besides the duo of the aforementioned wingers, Mashaba and ‘Ben 10’, there is also Lesotho’s Tshwarelo Bereng while the foreign quota per team in the country is five.

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