JOHANNESBURG - Thela Ngobeni and Siyanda Zwane are no longer happy at Mamelodi Sundowns and they want out of Chloorkop.
The two players have confirmed that they handed in transfer requests before the window shut last week.
Goalkeeper Ngobeni was on loan at Free State Stars where he made an impact as he helped them avoid relegation last season. Stars wanted to retain him on another loan spell but Sundowns declined.
He is now third choice at the Brazilians behind Denis Onyango and Razak Brimah.
Ngobeni was between the sticks when Sundowns got hammered 3-0 by Bloemfontein Celtic in a MultiChoice Diski Challenge match at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.
“Sundowns is my club but I think, if you look at the situation, it would be better for me to go on loan," Ngobeni lamented "Here, I find myself playing MDC again. If you look at the age group that is playing, it is boys who are 16, 17 and 18 and I’m 28 years old.
"I believe that I should be playing in the top league regularly, even if it is at a small team. At the moment there’s nothing I can do. I have to find a way. I will keep going. I was not happy that they (Sundowns)turned down my request to leave. It is unfortunate.”
Gutted as he is, Ngobeni knows though that he has to abide by the club's decision.
“As a player I need to remain professional, serve my contract and try and push the other goalkeepers. I still have a two-year contract with Sundowns."
He sees his being in the MDC team as robbing upcoming players of a chance to showcase their talents.
"It's a good thing that the club is trying to bring up young boys, but if I am there I’m denying them an opportunity to shine. I’ve played MDC for three seasons. I don’t think at this point in time is what I’m looking for.
"I know that I need to be patient, but it is very important that I go out on loan. We are three now and I can’t play so I need to go elsewhere to get game time. They also know that at the office. I’m not a youngster star anymore, “ Ngobeni insisted.
Zwane says he has also made it clear he wants to leave.
“This is my first 90 minutes in eight months. All I want is game time. I can’t give up on myself. This is my last season at Sundowns. I need to expose myself because other people have forgotten who Siyanda Zwane is and what he is capable of doing," he said after the Celtic match.
"Games like this are important for me to boost my confidence. I did hand in a transfer request. They exercised the option to renew based on the fact that I’m registered for the Caf Champions League and we don’t have numbers. It was something beyond my control," said the player who has to prove to P:itso Mosimane that he is more worthy of a start than Anele Ngcongca, Thapelo Morena and Asavela Mbekile as well as newly-promoted Thendo Mukumela.
Zwane says he is disappointed at having missed out on the chance to leave as there were clubs interested in his services.
"I need to play. I’ve made up my mind that I want to leave. Sometimes you have to be realistic. We are four at right back position. A player of my calibre doesn’t deserve to seat on the bench. I’m not looking down at other players but I believe I should be playing regularly," he said.
"I’m 32 (years old) now and I still have more to offer. I’m disciplined. I don’t consume alcohol, I don’t smoke and I am not into clubbing. I love Sundowns but sometimes you have to think about your career. Sometimes loyalty doesn’t pay. I have to move so I can play."