MBABANE – It is a done deal!
This is the move for former Mbabane Highlanders AM Captain Vusi ‘Ramos’ Vilakati, who, according to a source close to the matter, has completed the switch to Amawele. The Msunduza-based outfit owned by South African businessman Chief Ally Kgomongwe has been tracking the former national team Sihlangu defender to boost their defence, having conceded seven goals in two league matches.
‘Ramos’ was recently given a temporary retirement from football by the black and white capital city giants due to a career-threatening injury, which sidelined him for the better part of last season. This was announced by President Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize during a home-coming party held at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground months ago.
The flamboyant South African businesswoman, speaking through General Manager (GM) Richard Makhobe, stated that they would enrol Vilakati in a coaching course while he continued recovering from his injury.
“It seems as if Vusi has finally joined Amawele, as he was training with them yesterday at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground,” the source said.
This was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Amawele, David ‘Var’ Ndwandwe, who are fondly known as Tamshana in local football circles.
“Yes, it is true that we have signed Vusi, but I can’t go into the details of the deal as it has been handled by the management,” Ndwandwe said.
He also revealed that they are working around the clock to sign Nsingizini Hotspurs and former Highlanders goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe ‘Beer’ Shabalala.
“Once we get Khanyakwezwe, the puzzle will be complete,” he said.
Meanwhile, his counterpart at Inkunzi’emnyama, Thabiso ‘Touch’ Manyatsi, said this was news to him, noting he was only aware that the player was training with Amawele, rather than officially signed.
“What I know is that the player has not recovered from the injury; the option was to take him on coaching courses so that we could deploy him to the development structures of the team,” Manyatsi said.
It is worth noting that both Vilakati and Shabalala were part of the Highlanders squad previously under the directorship of Kgomongwe before he left to own Botswana’s Extension Gunners.
