Goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha has reportedly left Amazulu, with his new destination already decided.
The burly shot stopper was the name on everybody’s lips just a couple of seasons ago, with Mbatha’s outstanding performances for Amazulu having people hopeful that he will get a Bafana Bafana call up.
Mbatha was snubbed for Afcon 2019 in favour Bvuma
However it was not to be, as at the peak of his powers in 2019, Mbatha was overlooked for the Bafana Bafana squad that did battle and reached the Afcon quarterfinals that year. His omission causing an uproar on social media with fans perplexed as to how he missed out to Bruce Bvuma who had not been enjoying much game time at Chiefs at that time.
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The following season, Mbatha had began to slowly lose his footing as Amazulu’s undisputed number one. Then just last season, the writing was more or less on the wall for him, as Amazulu went and enlisted the services of another outstanding keeper in the eyes of many, Veli Mothwa.
Lost his place at Amazulu to Mothwa
Inevitably, Mbatha lost his place and with Mothwa continuing to prove his worth, even winning a Bafana Bafana call up in the process. Now he is reported to have left the club and according to a The Citizen source, has already penned a deal with a new team and it’s not Orlando Pirates.
Talks with Pirates confirmed
“There were negotiations at some point with Pirates but I am not sure what happened with that. What I can tell you confidently now is that he has joined Arrows. He penned a three-year deal at the weekend and will join the team when they get together for pre-season training in July,”
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This might come as a shock to many, as Mbatha had been heavily linked to the Buccaneers in recent years, but it is now apparent that the two parties could not reach a suitable agreement for all parties.
Pirates are still thought to be looking for a goalkeeper, with Wayne Sandilands reportedly set to retire. Former Black Leopards keeper King Ndlovu has since been touted to be their latest target but it still remains to be seen if his transfer will materialize.
