THE BIDDING war for Mzansi’s top players is hotting up, both locally and internationally.
Mike Makaab, CEO of Prosport International, is one of the busiest men in the country at this time of the year.
Makaab represents some of South Africa finest players and is involved in a number of deals with stars such as Sibusiso “Villa” Vilakazi, Andile Jali, Anele Ngcongca, Collins Mbesuma and Lebohang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena.
Makaab, a former Orlando Pirates head coach, revealed to SunSport that he hoped to have the much sought-after Bidvest Wits star midfielder Vilakazi in a new club by next week.
- PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns appear to be favourites to land the talented Wits ace after Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung remarked “Wits don’t want to sell to Chiefs as they have ambitions of winning the league”.
Makaab said a deal on Vilakazi’s future would be finalised soon and did not rule out a move to Chiefs: “Vilakazi wants to leave Wits and further his career. He deserves the opportunity to move on after the loyalty he has shown Wits over the years. He told me he needs a new challenge, whether it be at Sundowns or Chiefs. But he is definitely moving.”
Makaab admitted the deal was complicated but added: “I hope to unravel it sometime next week.”
Vilakazi won the PSL Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season after the 2013-14 campaign. He only played in about half of the Clever Boys’ games this season and believes a move is in his best interests.
Added Makaab: “He stayed to help Wits win the league last season and was promised he could leave if he wanted to at the end of that season. Now Wits must honour their promise.”
Wits finished runners-up.
- Downs midfielder Mokoena could move to a club in China or the Middle East. But Makaab added: “We are also looking at getting him a club in the PSL.”
Said Makaab: “I have a number of PSL clubs who want Mbesuma. I hope to have him fixed up with a new club by Tuesday.”
- Meanwhile, both Belgium based Bafana stars Jali and Ngcongca are on the move. Talented KV Oostende midfielder playmaker Jali is hoping to secure a move to one of the top five leagues in Europe – England, Spain, France, Germany or Italy.
Ngcongca was on loan to French First Division outfit Troyes last season but returned to Belgium’s Racing Genk after Troyes were relegated.
Explained Makaab: “As part of the loan deal Anele returns to Genk if Troyes get relegated. But Anele does not see eye to eye with the Genk coach, so he wants to move.
“He could either go to a bigger European league or one of the bigger Belgium clubs.”
Those deals are on ice for a few weeks, however: “European transfers are difficult due to the 2016 Euro Championships. Once Euro ends things will be a lot easier,” Makaab explained.
