Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Defender Martin Carelse and forward Bulelani Matross have joined players who will be seeking employment in the off-season after AmaZulu refused to renew their contracts for the new term.

Carelse and Matross are among the eight players who will not be part of Usuthu in the 2008-09 campaign.

This after the team put Abram Molekoa, Ranado Buckley, Mbuso Peters, Zamokwakhe Hlophe and Carlton Hughes on transfer.

Nhlanhla Mtungwa has been loaned to National First Division (NFD) neighbours Nathi Lions for a season.

AmaZulu are holding talks with veteran linkman John "Shoes" Moshoeu and striker Mpho "Zico" Maleka with the hope of keeping them in their kraal for the new season.

The developments at Usuthu were confirmed by publicist Pilani Mabaso yesterday.

"This is a part of a restructuring process as we want to rope in new players who will help us to challenge for league honours and other silverware next season," said Mabaso yesterday.

"We have decided to release the players who did not play regularly in the past season to enable them to join clubs that will give them enough game time. We acted on the recommendations of the technical staff when we released them.

"We are encouraged that we managed to retain our Absa Premiership status because this was our main objective last season. For us it was a building process."

He said players like Bafo Biyela, Dumisani Ngwenya and Siyabonga Mkhwanazi had really stepped to the fore at Usuthu.

Mabaso, who also revealed that negotiations with Moroka Swallows' winger Japhet Zwane were still on, stressed that Clive Barker will continue to guide the club in the new season. He added that Neil Tovey will continue as a technical manager.