Masango's future at SuperSport still uncertain

JOHANNESBURG - Mandla Masango's future at SuperSport United will depend on whether Eric Tinkler is keen on having the player in his squad leading up to the new season... or not.

The 27-year old Bafana Bafana international joined Matsatsantsa a Pitori on a loan deal in the middle of last season from Danish side, Randers FC, after it was reported that he was not happy there, and that he was keen on reuniting with his former coach, Stuart Baxter, whom he had worked with at Kaizer Chiefs.

That reunion at SuperSport though only lasted six months, as the Scotsman was later appointed as Bafana head coach.

SuperSport chairman Khulu Sibiya, stated that the decision on keeping Masango at the club was not entirely up to him, as he still has to sit down with new coach Tinkler.

Masango’s loan deal contract with Matsatsantsa will expire at the end of this month.

“Mandla Masango’s case is not resolved as yet,” Sibiya said.

“He joined us in the middle of the season on a six-month loan deal and according to the contract, he’s still a Randers’ player.

"They are the ones who have the power on whether to sell him or not, not us. He has only a few days left with us until his future is decided.

“But then again,” Sibiya added “ You have this issue of the new coach coming in. Baxter just left us for Bafana following our (4-1) victory over Orlando Pirates in Durban (this past weekend), and Tinkler is still yet make changes in his squad.

"He still has to present to me his overall analysis of the squad and decide on which players he would like to keep, buy or release leading up to the new season.”

*Meanwhile, Safa media officer Matlhomola Morake stated that there was nothing that Safa could do when it comes to clubs deciding not to release their players for the ongoing Cosafa tournament in Rustenburg, as it doesn’t fall under the Fifa calendar's rules.

Neither Masango nor Lebogang Phiri of French Ligue 1 side, Guingamp, were released by their respective teams, forcing Baxter to make two alterations in his squad by bringing in Mohau Mokate (Maritzburg United) and Jamie Webber (Stellenbosch FC) as replacements.

Bafana have been in camp since last Friday, and will lock horns with either Malawi, Tanzania, Mauritius or Angola in their quarter-final fixture this Sunday at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Bafana squad

Goalkeepers:

Boalefa Pule (SuperSport United); Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs); Darren Johnson (Ajax Cape Town)

Defenders:

Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs); Innocent Maela (Thanda Royal Zulu); Tercious Malepe (Orlando Pirates); Mario Booysen (SuperSport United); Mothobi Mvala (Highlands Park); Sandile Mthethwa (Orlando Pirates); Thendo Mukumela (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders:

Aubrey Ngoma (Cape Town City); Mohau Mokate (Maritzburg United); Lehlogonolo Masalesa (Larissa, Greece); Jamie Webber (Stellenbosch FC); Nduduzo Sibiya (Golden Arrows); Sibongakonke Mbatha (Bidvest Wits); Lebogang Maboe (Maritzburg United); Thabo Cele (Real Clubbe FC, Portugal)