It looks like Township Rollers’ marksman Terrence Mandaza will be lost to local soccer come next season, as many top flight teams, including those from South Africa, are after his signature.
The latest team to join the fray is South African Premier League side, Maritziburg United. The team is seriously looking for Mandaza, and their coach, Ernest Middendorp jetted into the country on Friday night to see him playing in Rollers versus Notwane encounter at the University of Botswana stadium. Unfortunately the match postponed because of heavy rains.
Middendorp was forced to return to Johannesburg, and he was expected back again for the game, which was billed for Tuesday.
Middendorp is said to have been impressed by Mandaza’s 24 at a time when Rollers were left with eight games.
He has been monitoring Mandaza’s his progress for some time, and he decided to come watch him playing live when Mandaza hit 29 goals with five matches to go.
Township Rollers Managing Director, Somerset Gobuiwang confirmed that a number of teams have shown interest in Mandaza.
“But right now we have nothing concrete. Teams have only shown interest and no one has made a formal bid for him” he said.
Mandaza has been in scintillating form this season and he has scored in every game he played. His current scoring rate is 1.16.
By international standards, this is an incredible record.
If Mandaza eventually goes to the Premier League in South Africa, he will be the second striker after the late Joseph Chikoti in 1996. Chikoti joined With University but failed to make a major impact and ended up being loaned to now defunct Vaal Professionals. Mandaza would also be the fifth player from Rollers to ply his trade in the South African elite league. Others are Mogogi Gabonamong, Boitumelo Mafoko (Cape Town Santos) and Phenyo Mongala who is playing for Orlando Pirates. Other teams reportedly head hunting Mandaza in South African Premier League are Platinum Stars and Orlando Pirates. Even Zimbabwean side Caps is reportedly scrambling for his signature. Rollers have cordial relationships with Pirates and they might be given preference over the player. However reports from the Rollers camp is that other teams might pull a surprise and sign him.
