WINDHOEK – Katutura giants African Stars are rumoured to be plotting a January move on Tura Magic talisman Neville Tjiueza, close sources have revealed. Stars are believed to be ready to fork out an undisclosed massive amount for the services of the 21- year old.
Although New Era Sport understands that Tjiueza has already extended his two-year contract with Tura Magic, sources within Stars further revealed that the Reds were more than ready to buy out the midfielder’s contract.
The sources claimed that both clubs will soon get underway with contractual talks as Tjiueza is believed to be fully aware of the interest from Stars, who are ready to make the blockbuster offer to include even buying out his current obligations.
Ever since the young box-to-box midfielder donned the yellow and black jersey of Tura Magic, Tjiueza has been a target of many teams but his loyalty to the club and Tura Magic’s reluctance to let go of him are believed to have denied Tjiueza numerous opportunities of possibly playing for Namibia’s top three football clubs.
But perhaps with the rumoured departure of Stars’ veteran midfielder Razundara Tjukuzu abroad, Tjiueza could offer Woody Jacobs a fresh dimension in the midfield department, as many Stars supporters feel the youthful midfield maestro is a more rounded option as opposed to the likes of the ageing Ninja Karoonge, amongst other Stars veterans.
It also came to New Era Sport’s attention that Tjiueza missed the club’s first training session for this season, sparking more rumours about the player’s immediate future with Tura Magic.
Approached to shed more light on the much-hyped possible move, Tura Magic coach Bertus Bock confirmed that Tjiueza did not attend the club’s training session last Monday, but citing family reasons for his apparent absenteeism.
Bock would neither confirm nor deny Tjiueza’s moving on but insisted that as far as he was concerned, Tjiueza was still a Tura Magic player. “I have also heard these rumours but for now I can confirm that Neville is still a Tura Magic player and recently extended his contract by two more years. After hearing about his move to Stars I immediately talked to both the club management and Neville himself and they all assured me he was staying at the club,’’ said Bock.
“But with Stars now planning to take part in continental events, maybe they are really interested in Neville as the boy is currently one of the best midfielders that Namibia has on offer and will obviously add much value in terms of strengthening their squad for whatever continental competitions,’’ added Bock.
Bock however admitted that it’s all up to the player to decide on his future but expressed the hope that Tjiueza would stay at Tura Magic, stressing he is one of the club’s very valuable players.
By Otniel Hembapu