National First Division hopefuls Thanda Royal Zulu have announced a major overhaul of their squad ahead of the new season.
Thanda were in the top three for much of the last campaign‚ but fell short of the promotion play-offs and have since lost 22-goal striker Phumelele Bhengu to SuperSport United.
They have unveiled 12 new players for the start of the 2015-16 season‚ further ammunition for returning coach Thami Ngubane‚ who was restored to his position last month.
Among the more high-profile arrivals is former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Steven Ncanana.
The 29-year-old played at Naturena for two seasons between 2010 and 2012‚ making 12 appearances and scoring in a 2-2 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic.
He has also previously played in the NFD at Nathi Lions‚ African Wanderers and most recently Blackburn Rovers‚ where he was last seen in their relegation season in 2013-14.
Former Lamontville Golden Arrows midfielder Mandla Mdunge has also been given the opportunity to rekindle his career.
The 27-year-old was used sparingly in the last two seasons by Abafana bes’thende and did not feature at all in the second half of their promotion campaign.
The club have also taken on former Maritzburg United midfielder Ayanda Ndlovu‚ who has also played at Royal Eagles. He featured little in the most recent season at Eagles and the 21- year-old was released.
Thanda have also managed to bring in teenage midfielder Mzwandile Banda from relegated Maluti FET College.
Banda was one of the bright spots in what was otherwise a dismal season for the Free Staters and actually scored in a 2-1 loss to Thanda in February.
The club have also looked to varsity football to sign defender Thabani Dube‚ who had turned out for University of Limpopo.
He is untried at this level but is a good prospect who said it was his ambition to play for Bayern Munich. The first step to that perhaps.
Other new names at the club are Khayelihle Langa‚ Senzo Xulu‚ Xolani Mpontshane‚ Samuel Lekalakala‚ Sipho Bhengu‚ Mcebisi Holidey and Nqubeko Ngema.
Thanda have come close to promotion on a number of occasions since their relegation to the second tier at the end of the 2008-09 PSL season.
When Ngubane left his first spell last November‚ the team were third on the log. They will hope he can rekindle that magic with his new-look squad.
Thanda hope to rekindle magic under Ngubane
National First Division hopefuls Thanda Royal Zulu have announced a major overhaul of their squad ahead of the new season.
Thanda were in the top three for much of the last campaign‚ but fell short of the promotion play-offs and have since lost 22-goal striker Phumelele Bhengu to SuperSport United.
They have unveiled 12 new players for the start of the 2015-16 season‚ further ammunition for returning coach Thami Ngubane‚ who was restored to his position last month.
Among the more high-profile arrivals is former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Steven Ncanana.
The 29-year-old played at Naturena for two seasons between 2010 and 2012‚ making 12 appearances and scoring in a 2-2 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic.
He has also previously played in the NFD at Nathi Lions‚ African Wanderers and most recently Blackburn Rovers‚ where he was last seen in their relegation season in 2013-14.
Former Lamontville Golden Arrows midfielder Mandla Mdunge has also been given the opportunity to rekindle his career.
The 27-year-old was used sparingly in the last two seasons by Abafana bes’thende and did not feature at all in the second half of their promotion campaign.
The club have also taken on former Maritzburg United midfielder Ayanda Ndlovu‚ who has also played at Royal Eagles. He featured little in the most recent season at Eagles and the 21- year-old was released.
Thanda have also managed to bring in teenage midfielder Mzwandile Banda from relegated Maluti FET College.
Banda was one of the bright spots in what was otherwise a dismal season for the Free Staters and actually scored in a 2-1 loss to Thanda in February.
The club have also looked to varsity football to sign defender Thabani Dube‚ who had turned out for University of Limpopo.
He is untried at this level but is a good prospect who said it was his ambition to play for Bayern Munich. The first step to that perhaps.
Other new names at the club are Khayelihle Langa‚ Senzo Xulu‚ Xolani Mpontshane‚ Samuel Lekalakala‚ Sipho Bhengu‚ Mcebisi Holidey and Nqubeko Ngema.
Thanda have come close to promotion on a number of occasions since their relegation to the second tier at the end of the 2008-09 PSL season.
When Ngubane left his first spell last November‚ the team were third on the log. They will hope he can rekindle that magic with his new-look squad.
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