Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

Former Under-23 player Ashley Makhanya has ended his playing career to take up a challenging job as an assistant coach at Bidvest Wits.

After 11 years of service to the Clever Boys, Makhanya was one of two players who was promoted to the technical staff.

The other player who will be co-assistant to head coach Roger de Sa is Wendel Robinson, while Eric Tinkler will take charge of the club's development as head coach.

The announcement was made yesterday at a press conference where the club's new kit was unveiled.

New signing Sibusiso Mahlangu, the former SuperSport United midfielder, has been appointed as the new captain for the season.

Bidvest chief executive Brian Joffe outlined the club's ambitions for the new season. He feels that the changes and acquisitions will take the club to another level.

"I am hopeful and optimistic the team will be a force to be reckoned with in the new season,'' said Joffe.

De Sa believes they have assembled a strong squad that is capable of challenging for the Absa Premiership's R10 million first prize.

"I have got a young team, less players but the best players," said de Sa, as he excitedly introduced his 25-member squad.

Stan Whining, the club's chief executive, disclosed that the establishment of an Under-18 Academy in partnership with Sao Paulo FC from Brazil was in the pipeline.

"The negotiations have been going on for a year and we will be meeting the Brazilians again when they tour SA to inspect our facilities in October,'' explained Whining.