Windhoek
Township Rollers are reportedly leading the race to land the much sought-after signature of Namibian international Benson “Styles” Shilongo ahead of next season. The dreadlocked lanky lethal goal poacher joined Gaborone United (GU) from newly crowned Namibian champions Tigers FC in 2014.
His contract with GU is set to expire next month and the player could be on his way out of the club in pursuit of greener pastures.
Since last year’s COSAFA Cup winning run with Namibia, Shilongo has been tipped in a move away from GU with dozens of South African clubs also monitoring the situation.
It has also been revealed that last year the Namibian goal poacher had attracted the interest of South African-based agents alongside his GU teammate Mpho Kgaswane, but his much-anticipated move to the PSL never materialized.
News reaching Gazette Sport suggests GU’s cross-town rivals Township Rollers have expressed serious interest to lure the likeable Namibian striker to their stable.
A source close to the player says the former Tigers striker has been a Rollers target for some time.
“They (Rollers) have been targeting the player for some time now, but it is only this time around that they have shown some deep interest,” said the source.
The source revealed that the player recently turned down GU’s offer to renew his stay at the club.
“GU did offer the player a new contract, but he turned it down. Honestly, the contract is not what the player is worth.
“At the moment he (Shilongo) is waiting for GU to come back with an improved offer, then maybe that is when the player would commit to a new deal,” he added.
“The player likes the club (GU), but he is not happy with a few things in the proposed new deal. On the other hand, Rollers are serious to get the player on board, but he is also open for a move to any club. Should things remain this way for the next few weeks, Shilongo could move to Rollers,” ended the informer.
Reached for comment, Rollers public relations officer Bafana Pheto’s personal line was unavailable. Shilongo also could not be reached as he was said to be in Namibia.
Reports coming from Namibia have also linked the player with a move outside the Mobile Premiership, with a move to the South African PSL on the cards.
The 24-year-old striker has scored 10 league goals this season, and will be hopeful to represent his country at this year’s COSAFA tourney to be hosted in his native country next month.
When approached to shed more light on the ongoing speculations, Shilongo’s handler Ercher Luanda could not deny nor confirm the player’s immediate future but reluctantly let it slip that Shilongo could leave his current club in the not too distant future.
“It’s still premature to give a concrete answer whether the boy will stay at United or not. At the moment, we have put things on halt until the completion of the upcoming COSAFA Cup,” Luanda charged.
New Era Sport has established Shilongo is not short of suitors – hence his handlers are holding out for a more lucrative offer – hopefully from the wealthy PSL teams.
The skillful dreadlocked free-scoring striker is expected to play a prominent role in the Brave Warriors’ drive to retain the COSAFA Cup, with his current value likely to increase should he repeat his performance in last year’s cup triumph.