GU, Rollers face serious competition for Shilongo

  • PSL clubs strongly keeping tabs on the Namibian forward
  • Shilongo will only return to the BPL if SA move fails – Agent

LETLHOGILE MPUANG

Local giants Gaborone United (GU) and Township Rollers are reportedly facing serious competition in their pursuit of keeping and securing top Namibian marksman Benson Shilongo. The 24-year old former Tigers striker’s contract with GU expired at the beginning of this month (June), and has since been linked with a move away from the club.
Gazette Sport last month broke the news that despite GU making it clear of their intentions of keeping the star striker, cross town rivals in Rollers were the favourites to pounce for the player’s signature.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs have also made contact with the player in an attempt to lure him, but were rejected, this publication can confirm.
However, according to fresh reports reaching this publication, South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) sides are closely monitoring the forward ahead of the upcoming COSAFA Cup.
“He (Shilongo) is a target for a few PSL sides, especially after his run during last year’s COSAFA Cup. A number of teams will be monitoring his progress at the COSAFA Cup,” said a source based in South Africa.
The source said, with Shilongo currently a free agent, chances are that the player is “very likely” to get a deal in the PSL.
“Honestly, teams here do not like spending in buying foreign players, they usually prefer to have the players on as a free transfer, and with his current status as a free agent, there is very high chance of him getting a deal,” ended the informer.
Despite the source being coy on revealing clubs said to be keeping an eye on the player, Gazette Sport has gathered that two Absa Premiership clubs could be possibly tracking the striker.
Mpumalanga side Black Aces and Durban’s Golden Arrows are some of the interested parties. According to reliable sources close to the two clubs, both teams did make ‘simple’ enquries of the player last year.
In a previous interview with Shilongo’s agent, Escher Luanda, he told this reporter that his player would only to return to the beMOBILE Premiership League should he fail to strike a deal in SA. The marksman is currently part of the Namibian squad preparing for the COSAFA tournament to be played in Windhoek later this month.
Shilongo scored ten league goals for GU in the just ended 2015/16 Premiership season, also getting one goal in his three appearances for Namibia in the ongoing 2017 AFCON qualifiers.