Local labour and sports consultant Olsen Kahiriri yesterday insisted that Namibian striker Elmo Kambindu is still legally contracted to DStv Premiership outfit Sekhukhune United, despite reports that the player was recently offloaded by the club.
According to one of South Africa’s leading football magazines SoccerLaduma, the 28-year-old Kambindu was declared surplus to requirements by coach MacDonald Makhubedu and his technical team, and has since been listed as one of the players set to be released.
“We have also heard the news about Sekhukhune United saying they have released Elmo. But as far as I’m concerned, Elmo signed a contract of over two years with the club and that contract remains very active. But if the club wishes to terminate the contract, they know what channels to follow and are very much aware of what happens in such instances. But like I said, Elmo still has a binding contract with Sekhukhune,” said Kahiriri.
He also shared with this publication that Sekhukhune United at one point also wanted to loan out Kambindu to GladAfrica Championship side TS Sporting, but that the deal fell through and the player had since been with Sekhukhune.
“But let’s wait and see how the situation will go. We remain hopeful about Elmo’s future, and we equally remain open to mature talks with Sekhukhune on the way forward regarding the player’s contract.” In its report, SoccerLaduma said Kambindu failed to impress coach Makhubedu during the various trainings, and a decision was then taken to offload the industrious young Namibian striker.
“Kambindu who was expected to play for Sekhukhune United has been stopped from training with the team. He is leaving the club as coaches felt that he wasn’t different to what they already had in the team,” reported SoccerLaduma.
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune have also decided against signing former Bloemfontein Celtic youngster Tumelo Mangweni after the midfielder spent some time training with the team.
Mangweni is one of the former Celtic players who were affected by the changes that took place at Royal AM in January and is currently a free agent.
- ohembapu@nepc.com.na