A former Kaizer Chiefs defence stalwart looks set to survive AmaZulu FC’s clean-up as they prepare for the new season.
Veteran defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele has survived the massive culling at Usuthu after helping the club dodge relegation.
Mphahlele, 33, fought his way back to form at the heart of the AmaZulu defence after being initially fired by former coach Romain Folz in March.
The 33-year-old centre-back’s resurgence under coach Ayanda Dlamini even resulted in him being handed the captain’s armband and scoring in back-to-back matches against Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mphahlele’s survival is even more telling as it comes at a club that is on a massive cleanp-up.
RAMAHLWE MPHAHLELE SURVIVES AMAZULU CLEAN UP
The AmaZulu President has already indicated that he intends to chop as many as 11 players. Although he has not named those deemed surplus to requirements, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Keagan Buchanan have already left the club.
Sources close to the KZN club have further indicated that substantive club skipper and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Veli Mothwa is among the 11 players to be axed.
“In terms of the players that have been let go. There are effectively 11 players that would have been let go. We have formally informed them in person or through their agents that we have chosen to renew or not exercise the option that we had.
“And it’s in the nature of soccer that such happens. Again, I know some of those players are negotiating with the future clubs.
“I don’t want to be that kind of team that makes it difficult for them to negotiate contracts. Hence, it’s not necessary that I disclose their names.”
CELIMPILO NGEMA SIGNED
Zungu said the clean-up had opened space for the club to bring in new players.
“We will have a press briefing at the beginning of the new season as we often do. And it’s at that time that we’ll reveal the players that will be new to the team,” he said.
READ:AmaZulu give in to players’ demands on Ramahlwe Mphahlele
The AmaZulu owner revealed that the club had signed exciting midfielder Celimpilo Ngema and two players from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.