Moeneeb Josephs ‘as hungry as an 18-year-old’ after Wits contract extension

Moeneeb Josephs says he is still keen to contribute to the success of Wits. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Moeneeb Josephs says he is still keen to contribute to the success of Wits. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Published Mar 19, 2018

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JOHANNESBURG – Veteran goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, who turns 38 in May, is almost certainly set to retire a Bidvest Wits player after he extended his contract at the club for two more years, he confirmed at the weekend.

‘Slimkat’, as the ex-Bafana Bafana international is affectionately known, helped the Clever Boys win the championship for the first time in 96 years of existence last season, and hopes there is still plenty more to achieve before he hangs up his gloves.

“I am just grateful for the opportunity. I can only appreciate what Wits has done,” said Josephs.

“It is not easy for a team to show this much appreciation to a player. The opportunity alone is great, but they have now gone and extended my contract.

“I still want to play, and I told the coach on Saturday night that I also want to play.”

He rejoined Wits from Orlando Pirates, where he won two league titles, in 2013 and has been there since, playing a key role as the mentality of the club switched from being a mid-table team to challenging for trophies.

Josephs lost his place as a regular at Wits at the beginning of last season with the arrival of Darren Keet, but remains a key figure in the dressing room.

#KiaChamp with Wits players Moeneeb Josephs, Bongani Khumalo and Bafana assistant coach Thabo Senong. @KiaMotorsSA sending winners of the 5-a-side tournament to go watch the 2018 World Cup in Russia. pic.twitter.com/9NdrtIXaUq

— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) March 18, 2018

So far this season, the experienced keeper has only managed 10 games in all competitions – and that was due to Keet being injured.

“Of course I always want to play,” said Josephs. “The club has motivated me by giving me another contract.

“As players, we always need to have a vision of where we need to be, and with this carrot dangling in front of me, I am just going to be driven even more.

“Yes, I am 37, but I am as hungry as an 18-year-old. We didn’t have a good season, but we have a trophy (Telkom Knockout) in the cabinet. That’s more than most teams.

“And there is more to work towards, and I am looking forward to that.”    

Wits are desperate to finish strongly in their final seven games by making the top eight, having been bottom of the log around Christmas.

They are currently in 10th place.

@superjourno

 

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