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Sundowns chasing Mbesuma
03/07/2008 13:23 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Big spending Mamelodi Sundowns are believed to be at the top of the queue for the signature of Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma.
The former Kaizer Chiefs star who sensationally scored 35 goals in one season, is leaving Turkish club Bursapor.
However, his agent, Mike Makaab, refused to speculate on which Premier Soccer League club Mbesuma will be joining.
"But," said Makaab." All I can say at this stage is Mbesuma is packing up his things in Turkey and will be heading to South Africa soon.
Once he arrives here we will start negotiating a deal for him. At this stage I cannot divulge which clubs are interested in him."
Mbesuma was named PSL Player of the Year in 2005 after helping Amakhosi win the PSL title and scoring his record 35 goals.
He joined Portsmouth in the English Premiership at the start of the 2005/06 season. But the big Zambian forward failed to make the grade in the tough, competitive hurly-burly of English soccer.
Goal scoring form
He was loaned to Portuguese club Martimo where he scored seven goals in 23 appearances.
He made only six appearances for his Turkish club last season and is relishing the chance to rekindle the goal scoring form that made him an idol with Chiefs fans and the most feared striker in the PSL.
Downs have already signed 32-year-old Bafana Bafana strikers Sibusiso Zuma, who is reputed to be earning over R250 000 per month after leaving German Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld, and Katlego Mphela from SuperSport United.
Meanwhile Makaab, who is also Bafana central defender Nasief Morris' agent, said the Cape Town born star is not leaving Greek giants Panathinaikos at this stage.
"There have been reports that Panathinaikos' new coach, Hollander Henk Ten Cate, is having a clean out. That is not correct. Morris has a four year contract with them and we were told if there was interest and a reasonable offer for him, we can negotiate. But at this stage he is staying put."
Morris is recovering from a operation which forced him to miss Bafana's four 2010 African Nations Cup qualifiers last month.
Continental showpiece
Makaab also disclosed that another Bafana defender on his books, Bryce Moon of Ajax cape Town, is on trial with Panathinaikos.
Moon played in the four Afcon qualifiers that Morris missed. Bafana managed one win, a draw and two losses which has virtually ruined their hopes of playing at the continental showpiece in Angola in 2010.
Meanwhile Ajax CT will be without their Malawian international striker, Russell Mwafulirwa, next season. Mwafulirwa has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with Swedish club Isk Norrkoping.
Another Ajax striker, Nathan Paulse, is on trail with another Swedish outfit, Hammarby IF.
Sweden seems to be popular with local players, SuperSport United and Bafana striker Katlego Mashego is at Swedish club Djurgarden, also on a pre-season trial.
- SAPA
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