United set to spice up their midfield
The Maritzburg United midfield could see defensive and offensive changes during the January transfer window, with the move of attacker Devon Saal already confirmed.
The winger-cum-striker is set to return to Cape Town where he will feature for First Division side Stellenbosch FC on loan until the end of this season, confirmed Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia.
Saal, 25, reportedly had a training ground argument with coach Fadlu Davids last month when he questioned his exclusion from several match day squads.
The player, who arrived in the KwaZulu-Natal capital last season and featured regularly under then coach Ernst Middendorp, has struggled to make the bench this term.
Following the blow-up with the coach Saal was recently found guilty of misconduct in an internal club hearing, said Kadodia, and the parties agreed it would be best if he was loaned out.
Saal’s move in January opens a space in the Team of Choice squad for an attacking player.
However Maritzburg are also in the race for the signature of defensive player Kwanda Mngonyama, who is frozen out at Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 24-year-old spent the past three seasons on loan at Maritzburg from the Brazilians, and is highly regarded by Davids who used him at the back and in midfield last term.
“If Kwanda is available we would love to have him here,” said Kadodia. “The window is a crucial period - generally we don’t sign unless we bring in someone who has been active.
Kwanda hasn’t been playing but we know what he can offer once he reaches full fitness.
But it all depends on Sundowns who use Kwanda as a make-weight for other deals,” Kadodia elaborated.
Maritzburg have ended the year in mid-table, four points off their half-season target of 22 points to be on track for a top eight finish.
The squad will resume training on December 27 to prepare for the trip to Ajax Cape Town on January 5.
Meanwhile the PSL confirmed that eight First Division clubs and six teams from the Safa structures have reached the Nedbank Cup last 32 round.
The last 32 round consists of 16 clubs from the Premier Division, eight clubs from the NFD and eight clubs from Safa structures.
The NFD sides are Super Eagles, Stellenbosch FC, Ubuntu Cape Town, Richards Bay FC, Cape Town All Stars, Mthatha Bucks, Royal Eagles and Highlands Park.
The Safa representatives are Swallows FC (ABC Motsepe League), Orbit College (ABC Motsepe League), Pabalelo Chiefs (SAB League), EC Bees (ABC Motsepe League), Bloemfontein Young Tigers (ABC Motsepe League) and Mariveni United (SAB League).
Two clubs are yet to be confirmed.
The Nedbank Cup last 32 draw will be held on January 15.
The Mercury