Stellenbosch FC have rejected AmaZulu’s offer for Sibongiseni Mthethwa.The 28-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move to AmaZulu for some time, but Stellenbosch are said to be holding out for a higher fee.
Mthethwa is a highly-rated defensive linkman who has been a key player for Stellenbosch in recent seasons.
He made 30 appearances in the DStv Premiership last season, helping the Cape side to a top-eight finish. He has also been capped by Bafana Bafana, playing an important role in the COSAFA Cup recently.
AmaZulu are looking to strengthen their midfield ahead of the 2023/24 season. They have already signed Rowan Human from Maritzburg United in the transfer window but are still keen to add Mthethwa to their squad.
STELLENBOSCH FC UNWILLING TO SELL MTHETHWA
However, Stellenbosch seems unwilling to sell Mthethwa for anything less than their valuation of the player. This could scupper AmaZulu’s chances of signing him, but it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can agree.
AmaZulu’s offer for Mthethwa was reportedly around R5 million, while Stellenbosch are said to be holding out for a fee of around R8 million.
It will be interesting to see how this transfer saga develops. If AmaZulu cannot sign Mthethwa, they will need to look elsewhere to strengthen their midfield.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC continued to strengthen their squad for the 2023/24 season and added a former Maritzburg United midfielder.
They have signed Genino Palace following the relegation of Maritzburg United. Palace is 24 years old and joined United in January 2022 after spending five years in Portugal with Sacavenense U19, Braga U23 and Académica U23 teams.
The Stars of Africa Academy product made his professional breakthrough in the Premier Soccer League with the Team of Choice and became a regular in the deep-lying playmaker position.
Palace made 42 appearances for the KZN-based outfit since his arrival and found the back of the net twice. He only missed three games for the Team of Choice all season, but their relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship threw his long-term future into doubt.
His efforts, however, were not in vain, as he received a call-up to the senior national team for the COSAFA Cup in KwaZulu-Natal.
Bafana needed the penalty shoot-out, which they won 5-3, to beat Malawi for the 2023 Cosafa Cup third position at King Zwelithini Stadium.
PALACE COMPLETES MOVE
Nonetheless, the former midfielder has not been short of suitors, seeing his agency inundated with service requests. With Stellenbosch FC the first to make inquiries and an official bid, that was accepted.
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They then moved rapidly to tie him down following the departure of Ibraheem Jabaar, who made a switch to the Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Petah Tikva ahead of the new DStv Premiership season.
This publication has been reliably informed that the deal is done between the two parties, who have also agreed on personal terms ahead of the successful move. This will ultimately see Genino Palace ply his trade in the Winelands this upcoming 2023/2024 season.
“He has signed for Stellenbosch on a long-term deal, the deal is finished,” said a close source.