DURBAN – Siyanda Xulu is set to be appointed as the new captain of Maritzburg United in the new season. The incumbent skipper, Bevan Fransman has parted ways with the club after failing to agree the terms of a new contract.
Xulu is currently the captain of Bafana Bafana in the Cosafa Cup in Limpopo.
The KwaMashu-born defender is still on a high after a brilliant club season saw him scoop the Premier Soccer league's best defender award on Tuesday.
For two successive seasons, The Team of Choice will be compelled to appoint a new captain.
Fransman was only appointed at the beginning of the one that has just ended as a replacement for
Kurt Lentjies who left the club to join Chippa United.
Now, with Fransman also leaving the KZN/Midlands outfit, Independent Media has been reliably informed that Xulu will become the club's skipper for the upcoming 2018/19 season.
“Xulu has been informed that he will captain the side next season. He is a born leader and his performances have been sublimed this season for the club. It is a great reward for him,” a source revealed.
Siyanda Xulu is challenged by Gustavo Paez of Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Xulu will be stepping into some big shoes given that Fransman captained the club to their best season ever, in which they reached the Nedbank Cup final.
Club boss Farook Kadodia did hint that Xulu would be captain: “He was vice captain to Bevan and he should be captain next season. He did very well after we gave him the platform to resurrect his career. He is a good player and we are looking forward to more from him.”
Meanwhile, the club has put the highly rated midfielder Yazid Atouba on transfer. The Cameroonian international arrived in South African with big reputation but failed to live up to expectations despite being handed the number 10 jersey.
Perhaps the sign that he wouldn't have a good time was from his debut against SuperSport United in the MTN8 semi-final when he got sent off. The left-footer hardly featured for The Team of Choice following his dramatic start.
United chairman has confirmed that they have transfer-listed, Atouba.
“We have decided to transfer list Atouba. He is not in the coach’s plan for the next season. We’ve also decided against exercising the option on Devon Salie’s contract,” Kadodia stated.
IOL reported a couple of weeks ago that the club have exercised the option on the contract of influential striker Andrea Fileccia.
Maritzburg are now in talks with Matsatsantsa a Pitori about the possibility of them signing Fagrie Lakay.
“We won’t put pressure on Lakay to make his decision. We will give him time.” Kadodia said.
As they look to build on the brilliant season they had last campaign, The Team of Choice have already secured the services of Denwin Farmer from SuperSport.