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nkosi joins israeli side

NEW CHAPTER: Bafana midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi will join Israel's Macabba Netanya. 16/08/2006. © Gallo Images. Pic. Lefty Shivambu.
NEW CHAPTER: Bafana midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi will join Israel's Macabba Netanya. 16/08/2006. © Gallo Images. Pic. Lefty Shivambu.

Sello Rabothata

Sello Rabothata

Bafana Bafana's Germany based midfielder-cum-striker, Siyabonga Nkosi has signed an 18-month contract with Israel's top team, Macabbi Netanya.

The midfielder successfully passed his medical examination on Sunday and was immediately contracted by the club for an 18-month period, with an option to renew for a further year.

This was confirmed by the 27-year-old Nkosi's agent, Steven Kapeluschnik of Stellar Africa.

Nkosi played for Bloemfontein Celtic before joining Kaizer Chiefs and then moved to Arminia Bielefeld in Germany where he was taken by former Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp.

He joins former Chiefs teammate and Moroka Swallows and Bafana Bafana defender Bevan Fransman at the Israeli club.

Macabbi Netanya coach, German legend Lothar Mattheus, is thrilled with the new signing and is confident that the player will bolster the team's efforts in winning the championship.

"Siyabonga is a prototypical number 10 who will fit into our system and complement our style of play. He is also very strong on both attack and defence and I look forward to him working with us as we strive to win the championship," said Mattheus.

Kapelsuschnik said: "While we received significant interest from various other clubs, Macabbi Netanya was the club that was most determined in putting pen to paper.

"I have no doubt that Siyabonga will enjoy his stay at the club, and we will witness his football improve even further.

"What is most important is that the player gets more game time than he did at Bielefeld."

The player, who was born in KwaZulu-Natal, echoed that sentiment.

"I am very excited about the move, mostly because of the fact that I will hopefully play most of the games for the club," Nkosi said.

"I look forward to playing with Bevan [Fransman] and I believe that having him there will help me settle into my new life at the club."

Arminia Bielefeld and Macabbi Netanya have reportedly already agreed on a transfer fee and Nkosi will thus be expected to begin playing shortly.

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