sportskeeda
AmaZulu co-coach Vusi Vilakazi has confirmed that Sandile Mthethwa will be ineligible for the next two matches of 2024, as he joined the club after the transfer window had closed.
Mthethwa was originally signed with Orlando Pirates at the season’s commencement for the PSL. Since his release occurred after the transfer window ended, he will have to wait until January, when the window reopens, to make his debut.
If the transfer to AmaZulu had been completed before the September transfer deadline or during the January window, Mthethwa could have played immediately for Usuthu.
“Mthethwa will be available in January,” Vilakazi mentioned on Friday, ahead of AmaZulu’s match against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.
In contrast, Bongani Zungu, who has also joined AmaZulu, is available to play right away, as he was not registered with any PSL team at the season’s start and has been a free agent since leaving Sundowns in June.
Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether Zungu will be ready to play against Sundowns on Tuesday, as Friday marked his first training session with Usuthu.
“To be honest, this was Zungu’s first training session on the pitch with us,” Vilakazi admitted.
“We focused on gym exercises on Thursday, so we will need to assess his fitness and make a decision. If he’s fit, there’s no reason he can’t feature in the match. If he’s not, it’s not the end of the world since we have other players who are performing well. We will carefully monitor his condition.”
Following the match against Sundowns, AmaZulu will conclude their 2024 schedule with a game against Cape Town City at DHL Stadium on December 29.
