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Polokwane City deny Mphela is in their books

Polokwane City chairman Johnny Mogaladi has denied the club has offered Katlego Mphela a two-year contract as was reported yesterday.

Mogaladi told Sowetan that no offer has been made to the striker yet, while the player's representatives were also in the dark over the matter.

Mphela trained with City earlier in the week and has received the backing of coach Kosta Papic, who is clearly keen to bring the former Bafana Bafana striker on board.

The 30-year-old has had injury and fitness problems in recent seasons that have stalled his career, but Papic believes he can get the forward back in shape and firing again.

Whether he will get the chance to do that at City is unclear, with Mogaladi claiming there is no deal on the table . yet. "Polokwane City have not said anything about a contract offer and that tells you everything you need to know.

"I cannot tell you about any offer, and as the chairman of Polokwane City club, I would know if one exists," he said.

But Papic is expected to continue pushing for the player's signing.

Mphela would likely have to take a hefty pay cut from his salary at Kaizer Chiefs, but Sowetan understands that he is willing to make some compromises if it means regular game-time and the opportunity to get his career back on track.

Mphela's 23 goals for the national team places him in joint third on the all-time Bafana scorer list with Bernard Parker.

At his prime, he was a goal-machine for club and country, and one of the smartest forwards in South African football.

But injuries relegated him to just 13 league games starts in the last three seasons at both Mamelodi Sundowns and later at Chiefs.

But he still managed eight league goals in that time, despite the limited game-time.

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