A local agent has accused AmaZulu of allegedly treating players poorly, as what seems to be a contractual dispute is looming regarding two of his clients at the KwaZulu-Natal giants.
The players in question are Sandile Khumalo and Lwandile Ngcobo and they are managed by Mandla Mthembu from New Generation Sports, according to the intermediary.
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Sources had initially informed the Siya crew of a potential move for the two players to new clubs for the upcoming season, however, upon enquiring from their agent it has emerged that Mthembu had some disagreements with Usuthu about the duo.
Contacted for comment, Mthembu said, "Yes, that's true, with regards to Khumalo, we started engaging as far back as December 2022 and they (AmaZulu) disappeared and re-appeared in May wanting to start new negotiations on a new page, which was the first issue (we were concerned about). We reluctantly opened the door and they went quiet again until the club president contacted me on the 30th of May and again no contract was concluded."
"I made three follow ups with him personally during the month of June and he did not revert. Subsequently, the player's contract expired and I personally made the president aware that we had decided to look elsewhere. They (AmaZulu) wanted him to train beyond the expiry of his contract and be assessed by the new coach, which was something I could not allow."
"It's actually two players and the other one is Lwandile Ngcobo whom they (AmaZulu) have sent an employment contract and yesterday (Thursday) he was made to escape the camp and travel to Durban to re-sign knowing fully well that he has since entered into another employment and should he re-sign, there will be consequences which may lead to a suspension or ban. I have advised the player and his parents about it and for his sake I hope that he heeds my advice so that he is not led astray by those who are ignorant and turning a blind eye on the rules and regulations in respect to professional footballer's contractual behaviour."
"The sensible thing to do is to release the players' clearances and I have since written to Mfundo Zungu who is the AmaZulu representative on that contract which is in my possession, and I am awaiting his response. They tried the same shenanigans with Khumalo as well and such behaviour cannot be left unchallenged. We are not dealing in slave trading and dictatorship."
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The Siya crew contacted AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu who lashed out at Mthembu for allegedly giving the football industry a bad image.
"Look, he can talk to you in whatever way he wants to talk to you. I mean, I just won't entertain him. In my opinion he is one of those agents who are giving the industry a very bad name. That's all I can tell, he's just one of those that have given the industry a very bad name. That's all I can tell you," concluded the Usuthu boss.
