Africa-Press – Eswatini. Green Mamba striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa is reportedly on the wanted list of Zambian side Prison Leopards, ahead of the second round of the league.
The former Mbabane Highlanders player signed for MTN Premier League reigning champions Green Mamba two seasons ago, in a lucrative three-year contract. He joined the Correctional Services side after helping ‘Inkunzi emnyama’ secure a place in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederations Cup banging in 23 goals in the process and was also named the player of the season. He got the award twice, while he was playing for their arch-rivals Mbabane Swallows.
According to the latest reports ‘Sikhali’, who is currently leading the league’s top goal scorer charts and is an integral player for Green Mamba, has attracted interest from Zambian club Prison Leopards. A source within Green Mamba’s camp has confirmed to the publication that there have been talks between the player and Prison Leopards, with the striker reportedly open to the idea of taking on a new challenge outside the country. The second transfer window period has recently opened and it remains to be seen whether the negotiations between the two sides will result in a transfer deal.
“Apparently, negotiations between the player and Prison Leopards are already underway, despite the Zambian club’s relegation-threatened position. The striker is unfazed by the team’s current position and is excited about the possibility of taking on a new challenge in a foreign league. Having enjoyed success in the past, he is eager to prove himself once again on a different stage while he is still at the peak of his career,” the source said.
When asked for his comments on the on-going negotiations, Sikhali said he was unaware of any interested teams and that he was fully focused on helping his current club, retain their title. However, he added that if any teams were to express interest in signing him, they would need to discuss the matter with his club.
Priorities
“I’m currently under contract with Green Mamba and my main focus is to perform well for the team and help them defend their league title and win the Ingwenyama Cup. These are the priorities for me right now and I am committed to giving my best on the pitch for the team’s success,” he said. Meanwhile Green Mamba Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mandla Sibiya, said Sikhali was their player and any interested teams would need to approach the club for negotiations.
The Sihlangu marksman recently ‘graduated’ from the Correctional Services training programme and has since been employed as a correctional officer. After joining Green Mamba, he reportedly received a E150 000 signing-on fee and a monthly salary of E20 000, making him the highest-paid players in the country. Prior to his arrival,
Swallows’ attacking midfielder Felix ‘Fela’ Badernhorst was the highest-paid player, earning E17 500 a month.
In the past, the deadly forward made headlines when he was handed a two-year suspension by the South African Football Association (SAFA) for being registered with two teams simultaneously: TS Sporting and Mbombela United, who were then competing in the then GladAfrica Championship. The player and his club were found guilty of violating SAFA’s rules on his registration, he was subsequently banned from participating in any football-related activities for two years.
Deal
If ‘Sikhali’ moves to Zambia, he will become the second player from the country to play in the Zambian Super League, following in the footsteps of former Sihlangu and Young Buffaloes Captain Lindo Mkhonta, who secured a deal to Zambia early last year. The former Amathole’zinyathi player put pen to paper in a deal that will see him spend three years at top Zambian outfit ZESCO United.
Prison Leopards Football Club is a professional soccer team based in Kabwe, Zambia. They compete in the Zambian Super League, the top division of football in Zambia. The club has a history of developing talented players and they have been a competitive force in the league for many years. They recently made headlines by ending ZESCO United’s nine-game unbeaten streak in the FAZ Super League with a surprise 1-0 victory.
Meanwhile, should the deal eventual see light ‘Sikhali’ will have to take an unpaid leave from the Correctional Services as it was the case with now Mbabane Highlanders winger Bonginkosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini, when he joined Angolan side Sagrada Esperanca, while he was a Royal Leopard player.
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