Platinum Stars attacking midfielder Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele has played down rumours linking him with a move to Orlando Pirates next season by pledging his commitment to helping his side qualify for the MTN 8 tournament. Ngele has been linked with the Soweto giants for the past two seasons.
This publication has established that Pirates are lining up a move for the attacker in the next transfer window. His agent, Mike Makaab, has strong links with Pirates as he once coached the club and represents most of their players.
The Irvin Khoza led club had a firsthand experience of Ngele’s exploits when he scored a brace against them during the Telkom Knockout final in December last year. At first they were reluctant to sign him after an impressive 2012/2013 debut season but his match winning performance against them in the current season has convinced them to make him their primary target.
Pirates have struggled for goals from midfield positions this season; the goal scoring burden has been on their striker Lennox Bacela. Only Oupa Manyisa, a defensive midfielder, has weighed in with four league goals to complement Bacela’s league and cup efforts.
However, Ngele has said that he is only focusing on Platinum Stars. “Rumours are a constant feature in football. I am aware of such things but my main focus is playing football. My agent deals with such matters but I will reiterate that I am a Platinum Stars player and I am focusing on recovering from injury,” said the Zebras star.
The 22 -year -old has been sidelined by a recurring knee ligament injury for the past two weeks. Earlier this season the same injury hampered his progress, but he has since confirmed that he will be back in action within a week.
“I am still undergoing treatment; the medical team has informed me that my injury could take a week to heal. Hopefully I will be back in action within a week. Injuries have been a setback for me this season but I want to finish the season well,” he continued. As a result Ngele missed the 1-0 defeat against Bloemfontein Celtic this past weekend.
Ngele is said to be a lifelong Pirates fan and this has intensified speculation linking him with a move to his boyhood club of choice. His contract will be left with only a year to run when the season ends, so far Platinum Stars have not made a contract extension offer for him as far as public knowledge is concerned.
He could leave the club on a free transfer after the 2014/2015 season if Stars do not extend his contract. Despite the interest from Pirates, his club is reportedly open to selling him to an overseas club as opposed to losing him to a local rival.