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SA PREMIERSHIP SIDE SWOOP FOR MKHONTO!

17/05/2023 08:44:00 Mengameli Mabuza

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MBABANE – He is hot property.

Fresh from winning the MTN Premier League title, Green Mamba box-to-box midfielder Mxolisi ‘Kudus’ Mkhonto is attracting interest from top leagues. South Africa’s DStv Premiership side Richards Bay are said to be interested in having the Inyoka Eluhlazane’s sensational player. ‘Kudus’, as he is fondly known, has produced great performance for his side which has seen him being earmarked for the player of the season award after leading his team to the MTN Premier League title.

The player who also picked up the February’s MTN Premier League Player of the Month award finished the season on nine goals and scored in his side’s last game of the season against Royal Leopard. “Richards Bay have been left impressed by Mxolisi and they are seriously looking to bring him on board next season after having impressed the technical team. The club believe that he can add value in their ambitions of challenging for the league next season and is a player that management of the club believes can replace Nkayiso Zungu who recently parted ways with the club,” shared a source within the player’s camp.

Richards Bay Football Club is a South African football club based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The club was formed when Thanda Royal Zulu F.C. owner Pierre Delvaux sold the club's league status to AmaZulu F.C. AmaZulu had finished in fifth place during the 2016–17 National First Division. Thanda Royal Zulu had finished in first place, achieving automatic promotion. AmaZulu bought the placing from Thanda Royal Zulu, taking the position in the 2017–18 South African Premier Division. On February 7, 2021, the club achieved the biggest win in their history when they defeated top Premier Soccer League side Kaizer Chiefs F.C. 2-1 in a Nedbank Cup last 32 match. Some of the players playing for the squad with an average age of 26 include, among others, Luvuyo Memela, Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Abel Mabaso.

The ‘Natali Rich Boys’, as they are fondly known, are currently sitting on position 13 on then log standings. They will not be the only team vying for the signature of the Correctional Services side captain’s signature. Two of Zambia top side in Zesco United and Zanaco have also shown interest in the box-to-box midfielder. Zesco are the same team that signed former Young Buffaloes right-back Lindo Mkhonta early this year.

Meanwhile, the Inyoka Eluhlazane skipper mentioned after their game against Royal Leopard that he was aware that they were teams interested in having him for next season but remained a Green Mamba player. “I’m aware that there are clubs interested in having my services for next season but I’m fully committed in the club. It has been a great season for the club and for me personally and right now the most important thing is to rest and come back next season stronger,” he said.

The player’s agent, Dingane Maduma, who also facilitated the move for Mkhonta to Zesco United, when asked on the latest developments surrounding the player sounded surprised how the Times got the news from because they were just fresh . “Yes it is true that Richard Bays have shown strong interest to have the player and we have held discussions with the club chairman Brian Biyela about the player and we will see what happens with the season ending this week. “There is also Zesco United and Zenaco in Zambia who have shown strong interest to have the player in their teams for next season,” he added.

Should the move materialise, the league winner could follow in the footsteps of players like Banele ‘Pupu ‘ Sikhondze, Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst and Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze who are some of the latest local players who have played in the lucrative DStv Premiership. Justice Figuareido remains the only liswati playing in South Africa, with the former Denver Sundowns attacking midfielder playing for All Stars FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, which is that country’s football second-tier. Green Mamba Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mandla Sibiya could not be reached for comment after his cellphone rang answered when called yesterday.