Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
DURBAN-based South African First Division side AmaZulu have signed Tsholotsho FC defensive midfielder Butholezwe Ncube on a season long loan, with an option to make the move permanent.
This could be the break the 24-year-old linkman has been yearning for and should delight former Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas, who is in charge of the Durbanites and has been a long time admirer of the player.
The ex-Chicken Inn gaffer knows the player very well, having seen him in the domestic league, but could not sign him during his days with the Zimbabwe champions since Ncube plays the same position as national team player Danny Phiri.
Ncube signed for AmaZulu last week without going for trials, an indication that Antipas knows the player’s capabilities.
“Butholezwe is a holding midfielder, a fighter and fiery type of player. He plays simple football and can break attacks with ease,” Antipas told his club’s website.
The Tsholotsho player was unveiled at AmaZulu alongside left-winger Simphiwe Lumkwana (23) and right-winger Moosa Moegamat Stellenboom (23) that were signed from Stenberg United on two-year deals.
Lizwe Sweswe, the Tsholotsho coach, is confident that Ncube will last longer in the South African league and attract interest from top clubs.
He said Ncube had left a huge void in his team’s midfield, but believes it’s also an opportunity for some of his fringe players to shine.
“I’m very happy that Ncube has made the break into the South African league. It’s a giant step for him. He is a brilliant player in that defensive midfield position, arguably one of the best in the country, but underrated, and that is why he was signed without going for trials,” said Sweswe.
“What makes his move even sweeter for me is that he is a player that I started working with when he was 14-years-old. He is going places and I’m happy for him,” he said.
Ncube becomes the second player nurtured by Sweswe to move to South Africa within a month following striker Edmore Chirambadare’s move to Kaizer Chiefs from Chicken Inn.
Chirambadare helped Chicken Inn win the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title in his first season with the Gamecocks last year, having joined from Tsholotsho.
“As a coach, you feel you’re doing a good job when you see your products moving to greener pastures. I use the examples of Pasca Manhanga, Chirambadare and now Ncube to motivate my players. Manhanga moved from us to Triangle United and found himself playing for the national team.
“Spanner (Chirambadare) and Ncube are in South Africa now, an indication that if you’re a player and you work hard, even if you play for a small team, you can reap big rewards. Of course, sometimes money issues may arise, but patience and perseverance pays at the end of the day,” said Sweswe.
Some players that have been impressive at Tsholotsho FC despite the fact that they are third from the bottom of the log include 23-year-old right-back MacClive Phiri, skipper William Stima (27) and central defender Thondolwenkosi Ncube (23).