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NEEDS GAME TIME: Tottenham Hotspur defender Bongani Khumalo shields the ball from Pirates striker Rudolf Bester in their Vodacom Challenge encounter. Photo: Veli Nhlapo

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The Greeks are looking to bolster their squad after finishing fourth last season - good enough to qualify for the Europa League in the coming campaign.

That presents an attractive proposition for Khumalo, who managed just five competitive matches in 2011-12, all of those coming while on loan at second-tier English Championship side Reading.

"Bongani realises he needs to play on a regular basis, nobody understands that more than him," Khumalo's agent Glyn Binkin told Sowetan.

"PAOK have expressed an interest and they are now in discussions with Tottenham Hotspur.

"It is certainly a good option for Bongani because they are willing to guarantee him first-team football and by playing in Europe there is the opportunity to gain some good experience.

"Any move would just be a loan, though, Bongani is still committed to make a career at Tottenham but understands that he needs to get a good season under his belt elsewhere."

Khumalo's lack of game time was obvious when he turned out for Bafana Bafana in their World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Botswana in June.

His place in the national side is seriously under threat with the emergence of Kaizer Chiefs' Morgan Gould and Orlando Pirates' Siyabonga Sangweni as the preferred partnership.

Those two would have likely played earlier this month as a pairing had the latter not been injured.

PAOK have won two Greek championships in the past - way back in 1975-76 and 1984-85 - but did finish runners-up as recently as 2009-10.

They are coached by German-born former Greece international Giorgos Donis.

Comments

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Wed May 22 12:17:42 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 26, 2012

Stumaeza

I doubt if he'll make first team at Tottenham...ask Schilo.

These teams are killing our talent
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Jun 26, 2012

mathopeed

Come back home before you become a hobbo in Europe. We still love you a lot
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Jun 26, 2012

TMOETI

I think Bongani he is still a good player, but if his not playing, then he should come back before is too late. eg. Look at Okonko, he is back at Pirates cause he was not playing that well at his previous club. Indeed we still love you. You made us proud during World Cup 2010. You just need to act before is too late. Do the right thing Mr. Khumalo, the clock is ticking.
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Jun 26, 2012

Tasto

He can anywhere & will still fail !!
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Jun 26, 2012

WarrenG

Considering he was rubbish at Reading and hasn't made it at Spurs this could be a good place to play. Greek league is no joke like PSL
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Jun 26, 2012

Westkanjalo

lol i always thot this guy is overrated and hes destined for failure, HE WANTS TO WALK BEFORE HE CRAWLS, it doesnt work that way PSL standard is not what we think it is, GO PLAY IN SWEDEN or BELGIUM or @least FRANCE for a descent enuff start mayb even GREECE my end up working to you advantage, ENGLISH GAME is not entirely FRIENDLY @ BAFANA BAFANA MATERIAL, ask schillo hes only making grades @ a mid table team (everton) kyafiwa kwa TOTTENHAM,SOMMA is playing kwi mvela yapha, FUURMAN is not proudly south african .... ubusiyaphi e england ??? lol i model C tendencies zizoku shaya san u and your accent !!!
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Jun 26, 2012

moralett

Bongani come back home Mr Bobby motaung is ready to open his cheaqe book and Gould has just join Kaizer cjhief yesterday. You are still going to suffer if you do not come back home, we have your space at naturena and we have RDP house for you please come back home bra
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Jun 27, 2012

Orllo

The boy must yet prove himself in the big leagues; his time at the top will come
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