Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Newly crowned Phakisa Cup winners Free State Stars have acquired the services of the impressive Ghanaian pair of Jonathan Mensah and David Telfer.
Defender Mensah, 17, and midfielder Telfer, 20, were each offered a three-year deal by Ea Lla Koto chairman Mike Mokoena yesterday.
"We are impressed with the contribution by the two youngsters from Ghana, we are convinced they will add value to the club," Mokoena said.
"We have been assessing them in the past six days and everybody is impressed, that is why we did not want to waste any time."
Mokoena said the duo's agent will arrive in South Africa today where the deal will be finalised with their previous club.
Mensah and Telfer played for Ashantigold, one of the top soccer clubs in Ghana, before relocating to Bethlehem on the recommendation of coach David Duncan.
Duncan used to coach Mensah and Telfer when he was still employed by Ashantigold, the club he left at the end of last season to join Stars.
The acquisition of Mensah and Telfer brings to five the number of foreigners on the books of the ambitious Stars.
The other three players are Nigerian Prince Olumo, Zambian Kennedy Mweene and Zimbabwean James Matola.
"We are in the process of loaning [Zimbabwean] Kingston Nkatha to a Premiership club before the start of the new season," said Mokoena.
"I think we will take him to [newly promoted First Division side] Carara Kicks, but first preference will be a Premiership side.
"We still need him."
Mokoena said he was happy with the new club being rebuilt by Ghanaian Duncan, who has also coached the Under-17 national team in his country.
"We are not going to get too excited after winning the Phakisa Cup, there is still a lot to be done. We need to assemble a solid team to compete for honours."
coup for Stars
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Newly crowned Phakisa Cup winners Free State Stars have acquired the services of the impressive Ghanaian pair of Jonathan Mensah and David Telfer.
Defender Mensah, 17, and midfielder Telfer, 20, were each offered a three-year deal by Ea Lla Koto chairman Mike Mokoena yesterday.
"We are impressed with the contribution by the two youngsters from Ghana, we are convinced they will add value to the club," Mokoena said.
"We have been assessing them in the past six days and everybody is impressed, that is why we did not want to waste any time."
Mokoena said the duo's agent will arrive in South Africa today where the deal will be finalised with their previous club.
Mensah and Telfer played for Ashantigold, one of the top soccer clubs in Ghana, before relocating to Bethlehem on the recommendation of coach David Duncan.
Duncan used to coach Mensah and Telfer when he was still employed by Ashantigold, the club he left at the end of last season to join Stars.
The acquisition of Mensah and Telfer brings to five the number of foreigners on the books of the ambitious Stars.
The other three players are Nigerian Prince Olumo, Zambian Kennedy Mweene and Zimbabwean James Matola.
"We are in the process of loaning [Zimbabwean] Kingston Nkatha to a Premiership club before the start of the new season," said Mokoena.
"I think we will take him to [newly promoted First Division side] Carara Kicks, but first preference will be a Premiership side.
"We still need him."
Mokoena said he was happy with the new club being rebuilt by Ghanaian Duncan, who has also coached the Under-17 national team in his country.
"We are not going to get too excited after winning the Phakisa Cup, there is still a lot to be done. We need to assemble a solid team to compete for honours."