TWO forgotten football stars, Steve Lekoelea and Phumudzo Manenzhe, yearn to do what comes naturally.
TWO forgotten football stars, Steve Lekoelea and Phumudzo Manenzhe, yearn to do what comes naturally.
These two stars were idolised by thousands of Orlando Pirates fans in their days.
Today Lekoelea, who used to torment defenders and Manenzhe, who banged in goals for Pirates, are clubless after being dumped by Platinum Stars.
Lekoelea, a fan favourite, left the club amidst controversy after failing to reach an agreement with Pirates in 2005. His manager Jazzman Mahlakgane is hopeful that "Chippa" will soon find himself back on the field.
"We have spoken to a few clubs and right now all we can do is wait. The clubs will make their assessments and make a decision, but the good thing is that they know what Steve is capable of and hopefully that will work in our favour," said Mahlakgane.
Manenzhe has a burning desire to go back to Pirates.
"I'd definitely love to go back to Pirates. I'm currently kicking my heels as I have got no club, but my manager (Glyn Binkin) is working on it. I regret not having listened to Mr Irvin Khoza (Pirates chairperson), who told me not to leave the club, but because of naivety and my problems with the coach at the time (Milutin Sredojevic) I had to leave," said Manenzhe.
Lekoelea left Pirates for Maritzburg United where he failed to reproduce the magic that made him a household name at the Buccaneers. His next stop was the mega-rich North West outfit, Platinum Stars where he also failed to deliver.
Lekoelea blamed former coach Miguel Gamondi for lack of game time. But even after the arrival of Steve Khompela, he was deemed surplus to requirements and given his clearance.
Manenzhe joined Wits University where he spent six months before moving over to Platinum Stars.
These two forgotten stars remain unemployed, but their talent should see them back in top flight football.
fallen stars upbeat
TWO forgotten football stars, Steve Lekoelea and Phumudzo Manenzhe, yearn to do what comes naturally.
TWO forgotten football stars, Steve Lekoelea and Phumudzo Manenzhe, yearn to do what comes naturally.
These two stars were idolised by thousands of Orlando Pirates fans in their days.
Today Lekoelea, who used to torment defenders and Manenzhe, who banged in goals for Pirates, are clubless after being dumped by Platinum Stars.
Lekoelea, a fan favourite, left the club amidst controversy after failing to reach an agreement with Pirates in 2005. His manager Jazzman Mahlakgane is hopeful that "Chippa" will soon find himself back on the field.
"We have spoken to a few clubs and right now all we can do is wait. The clubs will make their assessments and make a decision, but the good thing is that they know what Steve is capable of and hopefully that will work in our favour," said Mahlakgane.
Manenzhe has a burning desire to go back to Pirates.
"I'd definitely love to go back to Pirates. I'm currently kicking my heels as I have got no club, but my manager (Glyn Binkin) is working on it. I regret not having listened to Mr Irvin Khoza (Pirates chairperson), who told me not to leave the club, but because of naivety and my problems with the coach at the time (Milutin Sredojevic) I had to leave," said Manenzhe.
Lekoelea left Pirates for Maritzburg United where he failed to reproduce the magic that made him a household name at the Buccaneers. His next stop was the mega-rich North West outfit, Platinum Stars where he also failed to deliver.
Lekoelea blamed former coach Miguel Gamondi for lack of game time. But even after the arrival of Steve Khompela, he was deemed surplus to requirements and given his clearance.
Manenzhe joined Wits University where he spent six months before moving over to Platinum Stars.
These two forgotten stars remain unemployed, but their talent should see them back in top flight football.
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