MBABANE – Barely three weeks after publicly committing his future to the club, Mbabane Highlanders star Siyabonga Mkhonto has changed his mind and will join Nsingizini Hotspurs.
On June 28, Highlanders released a statement dispelling rumours linking Mkhonto, along with Sphiwe Cele and Msimisi Zwane, with moves away from the club. At the time, the club stated that the players wished to remain at Mbabane Highlanders and continue contributing to the team’s project.
However, yesterday the capital city giants announced that ‘Siya’ has joined the reigning MTN Premier League champions, Nsingizini.
“At the conclusion of last season, the club received a formal transfer approach from Nsingizini Hotspurs for the player. In line with our commitment to transparency and our long-standing principle of not retaining players whose aspirations may lie elsewhere, the offer was communicated to Siyabonga, affording him the opportunity to determine his preferred course of action,” the statement read.
The club noted that Mkhonto had initially indicated a desire to stay, but subsequent developments led both parties to reassess the situation.
“After careful consideration, it was mutually deemed to be in the best interests of both the player and the club that he be released, paving the way for his move to Nsingizini Hotspurs,” the statement continued.
Highlanders thanked Mkhonto for his commitment and professionalism during his time with the club, wishing him well in the next chapter of his career.
At the time of compiling this report, Nsingizini Hotspurs Public Relations Officer Mntfo Dlamini said he was not yet aware of the development. Dlamini stated that no formal correspondence had reached his office regarding Mkhonto’s move, nor was it clear whether the player had travelled with the team for today’s Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Legacy Cup pre-season tournament in South Africa.
The two sides face each other in the second semi-final at noon, after AmaZulu take on Ulundi in the first semi-final.
Sources have indicated that Mkhonto still had one year remaining on his contract at Highlanders.
