Botha linked to new-look Benoni

Published Aug 30, 2007

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Former South Africa Under-23 striker Ryan Botha is the latest player linked to new look Benoni Premier United, who come to Absa Stadium for the first time on Sunday since the recent change of ownership.

The well-travelled Durbanite has been booked a trial at the now Swedish controlled club as they build a new team through outright transfers needing to be done by the close of the window tomorrow night or through recruiting players who are out of contract.

Botha's move was released on Wednesday by leading agency Prosport International while the Swedes and their South African representatives remained mum on their plans in light of them having yet to gain approval of the sale from the Gauteng-based Ndlovu family.

Prosport appear to have become major suppliers of players to the club after the Swedes, who are linked to the five-star Thanda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, initially put their faith in individual operators Joseph Cotty and Junaid Hartley.

Before Botha, Prosport placed Patrick Mayo (ex-Kaizer Chiefs) and Bennett Mnguni (ex-AmaZulu) at Premier last week.

And in between those developments, the club this week reportedly lured Lucky Maselesele and Mfundo Mathonsi for trials with a view to signing them.

Maselesele last played in Cyprus while Mathonsi had a spell with Nathi Lions.

But with information generally hard to come by, it remains to be seen exactly which new men will be granted their debuts against Ajax Cape Town at Absa Stadium on Sunday.

Six players had their first run-out for the club when they lost 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in the opening round of the Castle Premiership in Germiston Lance Niewenhuis, Nkosinathi Ngema, Japie Motale, Clement Mazibuko, Bongani Mbhele and Houghston Hills.

Incidentally, Ngema and Motale face legal action from Prosport for allegedly doing private deals with Premier despite being contracted to Prosport.

The Premier Soccer League's acting chief executive Ronnie Schloss confirmed again yesterday that his organisation had yet to receive official information about the sale of Premier.

The application to change the club's playing base to KwaZulu-Natal was done by the old management and now there's apparently a further application to change the name to Thanda Royal Zulu FC.

Absa Stadium has been approved as their main home ground and Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg as an alternative venue.

Meanwhile, AmaZulu were on Wednesday still waiting for a work permit for new Nigerian defensive signing Pere Ariweriyai, while veteran midfielder John "Shoes" Moshoeu had yet to conclude a new deal with the club.

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