DURBAN – Amazulu have secured the services of the Free State Stars duo of standout midfielder Nhlanhla “Villa” Vilakazi and Auckland City FC talisman Emiliano Tade.
Usuthu are set to part ways with former Kaizer Chiefs striker Camaldine Abraw. Abraw signed a six-month contract with an option to renew in January. He will make ways for the Argentinian Tade.
The Mercury has been reliably told that Usuthu have already commenced planning for next season.
“AmaZulu have signed a pre-contract with Nhlanhla Vilakazi. He will be plying his trade at AmaZulu come next season. His contract with Stars will expire at the end of the season.
AmaZulu have also reached an agreement with Auckland City about the services of Tade. He has been lethal for his club in New Zealand,” a reliable source said.
“Currently, AmaZulu have exhausted their foreign quota. So someone has to make way for Tade, and Abraw is the one who is likely to be sent packing. He has struggled to score goals and command a regular starting berth for AmaZulu,” the source added.
Abraw is yet to find the back of the net at AmaZulu. He has only made four appearances since he arrived.
However, Tade has a phenomenal goal-scoring record for his club in New Zealand. He has netted an unbelievable 101 strikes in 114 appearances.
Tade holds the record for consecutive participation in the Fifa Club World Cup. He has been featuring in the ¬competition since 2011.
In 2014, he propelled Auckland City to a bronze medal in Morocco. Tade holds six Oceania Champions League crowns and two New Zealand championships.
Usuthu’s team manager, Qedi Dlamini, stated that the club will release a statement about their plans for the new season.
“I revealed the players that we will be signing or releasing at the end of the season. Should we sign any player, we will post details on our website and on our social media platforms. For now, our focus is on finishing the last five matches, and then we will start to plan for the new season,” Dlamini said.
Usuthu earned a priceless three-point haul against Ajax Cape Town at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Tuesday night, triumphing 2-1. They will now shift their focus on to Bloemfontein Celtic, with whom they will lock horns at Dr Molemela Stadium at 3pm on Sunday.
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Mercury