MBABANE–Former Mbabane Swallows and Ezulwini United attacker Alrick Pandemoya could be on the verge of a major move to DR Congo giants TP Mazembe.
Pandemoya is currently training with TP Mazembe’s reserve side as he works towards securing a place in the club’s senior team, according to FIFA-accredited Congolese agent Alimasi ‘Adebayo’ Saleh.
The development could open the door for the former Birds star to join one of the continent’s most recognisable clubs, with TP Mazembe preparing for their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second preliminary round campaign.
Saleh confirmed that Pandemoya is presently with the club’s second team, where he is undergoing conditioning ahead of the start of the domestic season.
“He is training with TP Mazembe team B for conditioning and to get him ready for the DRC Premier League, which will start in the second week of October. The team A is concentrating on the CAF Champions League,” Saleh said.
TP Mazembe will feature in the second preliminary round of the Champions League, while the club’s reserve set-up provides Pandemoya with an opportunity to regain full match fitness and push for senior-team recognition. TP Mazembe plays in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) elite league, which is also known as Linafoot.
Eswatini international Junior ‘Shisa Gesi’ Magagula currently plies his trade with AS Maniema Union, who share the domestic league with TP Mazembe. Magagula has already made an impression during his side’s pre-season preparations, scoring at least three goals in friendly matches. Maniema Union are also set to represent DR Congo in the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. His move also revived memories of retired legend Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst and Green Mamba midfielder Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo, who both had spells with DR Congo giants AS Vita more than five years ago.
The Congolese attacker was released by Mbabane Swallows in February this year after joining the capital city giants at the beginning of last season. He subsequently moved to Ezulwini United, having previously played for Lijabatho FC in Lesotho and Eswatini side Royal Leopard. Pandemoya enjoyed a productive return to Eswatini, scoring at least five goals across his spells with Swallows and Ezulwini United. Now, the next chapter could take him back to his homeland and potentially onto one of African football’s biggest stages.
Leave a comment