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HOPE: Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi

WAITING GAME: Brazilians defender Siyanda Xulu

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The Zimbabwean striker sat out yesterday's training as he prepared for a long journey to Europe, and he is likely to miss Downs' MTN8 semifinal match against Moroka Swallows at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Denying reports that they were holding out on the transfer of the Zimbabwean, as well as that of young defender Siyanda Xulu, the Tshwane giants again insisted they were committed to releasing the pair, but for a "proper offer".

Nuremberg are said to be willing to better the R5-million offer put on the table by fellow Bundesliga side Greuther Furth.

Greuther Furth, who have just gained promotion to German premier league, have so far been reluctant to table a formal offer for Mushekwi, insisting he should first fly over to Germany for assessment.

Sundowns, who have once again come under fire for refusing to release players, have confirmed offers for Xulu from Russian side Rostov FC. But while the impression had been that they were denying the youngster a dream overseas move, they were expecting the Russian club to improve their offer.

"Both these players are not on transfer and are an integral part of the coach's plans," said Downs communications manager Kabelo Mosito. "Nyasha has been the club's leading goalscorer and among the leading goal-scorers in the PSL for the past two seasons. Added to this, our league championship has just started, and we are playing in the semifinals of the MTN8."

Downs coach Johan Neeskens said: "We have given him (Mushekwi) the opportunity to go on trials for three days in Germany. Personally, I don't like this, but if that is his desire then he can go over there and the German club can come with a decent offer. I want happy players. If the offer is not good, then he is going to stay here. We don't try to hold back the players. We have given them the chance."

Neeskens said he supported the club's stance on a better offer for Xulu.

"Xulu had the desire to go overseas and give it a try. I always say if the player has an opportunity - it doesn't matter who it is - then we should let him go. But there's always a price," said Neeskens.

"And if the club thinks he should be worth more money, then I can understand that. Sundowns always have to pay huge amounts for players, compared to other clubs. I don't think the price is right for the kind of quality he has. And we have told the player that if the club wants him, then they should be able to up the price."

Comments

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Thu Jun 20 01:42:03 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 16, 2012

Papage

There we go again my team never learn from their previous mistakes, putting players career to the end, come on guys let the boys go, there is no player that is worth more than R5milion is SA, Herold Legodi said that just last week and what are you saying?
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Aug 16, 2012

Tbo.touch

Downs coach Johan Neeskens said
I don't like this, but if that is his desire then he can go over there and the German club can come with a decent offer. I want happy players. If the offer is not good, then he is going to stay here
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Yahlanya wena, all our players dream of going overseas, hapiness will be created when they get there. Let the player go.
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Aug 16, 2012

Noir19

Sundowns is not an NPO its business if Chelsea can pay 50mil pounds for Torres who is shooting blank why should we agree to 500K pounds for players whom are capable of playing in europe...nope ...they can sit on the bench if they not happy
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Aug 16, 2012

Kabelo10

I also understand management on this issue but what the use of having unhappy players in our squad? They will demoralise the rest troops, let them go so that tomorrow they wouldnt pin point us (Downs) as responsible for their failures. Let them go with warm hands.
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Aug 16, 2012

kaboyellowman

@Papage. our team is not denying anyone the oppotunity to play overseas, all what they are saying is when the right offer comes they will realease the players. what people need to understand is if a team sells a player for 5mil it doesnt mean that the team will get all the 5mil. theres agents fees, the player must have his cut as well, therefore the team end up with nothing, in other words they are working at a loss. on the issue of Harold Legodi thats an opinion of a bitter somebody, so we not gonna entertain his opinion.
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Aug 16, 2012

Papage

@Kaboyellowman my condrade, how much would you put on these two players? I believe the club and the countries those players come from stand to gain a lot from these players trading overseas, at Downs i dont think is about money, money is galore, we can do without the two, we have simply the best players SA can have, i a saying let them go, they must not be like Mphela our Officials destroyed and he ended up going on his own, give them the blessings and when they come back, they would be welcomed.
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Aug 16, 2012

Gusheshe

@Papage

In other words you want this players to go even for 2 million each? come on man Motsepe is not running a charity organisation comrade but a business with a mission of maximising profit. The European teams must stop with their tendencies of undermining our clubs and put more on the table and this boys will go. they are still young and are cable of being good acguisitions. Yes i agree money must not be the issue bt lets be realistic R 5 million is nothing bra
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Aug 16, 2012

tpaz

@Gusheshe, I agree
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Aug 16, 2012

Gusheshe

@tpaz

Thanx dear
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Aug 16, 2012

kaboyellowman

@Papage
This season will be Mushekwi's third season with Downs and he was amongs the leading goal scorers in the leage and club. so i think his worth the prise tag that downs is putting on him. yes he doesnt have European experince but him a lethal striker we we just cant give him away for peanut. Xull is amongs the best defenders in the country and he still has age on his side so should just go for peanuts. Psl is amongst the top 7 leagues in the world, and players are paid well as well. so we just want what's best for him.
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