Sundowns rejected Pirates, Wits bids for Ngele

  • Sundowns blocked attempts to sign Ngele in January
  • Pirates made a loan offer, Wits wanted permanent move
  • Township Rollers emerge as a loan option
  • BFA intervention could help Ngele secure loan move

BONGANI MALUNGA

The latest reports about Mogakolodi Ngele’s situation at Mamelodi Sundowns suggest that the ABSA Premiership champions recently rejected offers for the player in January. Ngele’s contract is set to end in June and under FIFA regulations he is free to negotiate or sign a pre-contract with another club but Sundowns have blocked any attempt to allow Ngele to leave.
Orlando Pirates have always been admirers of Ngele and they reportedly made a loan offer for the Zebras star last month. Pirates’ assistant coach Rulani Mokwena pushed for a loan deal but the Soweto club’s advances were rejected without being given a proper reason.
Mokwena is well aware of Ngele’s abilities having worked with the player during his days as Pitso Mosimane’s assistant coach at Sundowns. He was eager for a reunion and to provide Ngele with an opportunity to play first team football once again.
Ngele’s former club, Bidvest Wits, also made a move for him as they wanted a permanent transfer, however, they were also turned down. A source has informed Gazette Sport that approaching the Botswana Football Association would be the best option for Ngele to find a move.
The BFA’s intervention, according to the source, would play a huge role in convincing Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe to sanction Ngele’s transfer. Reached for comment, a BFA official briefly stated that the player “is yet to talk to the BFA on an official capacity to (seek) help. If he does it’s a matter of Maclean Letshwiti calling Sundowns directly to solve the problem.”
Another former club, Township Rollers, has been mentioned as a possible loan destination with the view of returning to the PSL in June. Rollers would be open to the idea of having Ngele aboard according to the source and the local transfer window would still allow the move as the local transfer window closes on February 8.
Last week reliable South African journalist Mazola Molefe (of Soccer-Laduma) reported that the Ngele is training alone once again after the club refused to entertain offers for him. Recently, two players gave a grim description of life as a reserve player at Sundowns as George Lebese stated that players outside the first team picture have nobody to talk to on a daily basis.
Former Sundowns attacker Toni Silva also accused Mosimane of giving certain players the cold shoulder. If both players’ accounts of events at Sundowns are anything to go by then Ngele could be going through the same problem, albeit silently.