Former Orlando Pirates defender joins Botswana’s second-tier side
Former Orlando Pirates defender Rooi Mahamutsa has secured a move to Botswana’s second-tier side VTM FC.
VTM announced the signing of the 41-year-old centre-back on Sunday as they continue to strengthen their squad to push for promotion to the Botswana Premier League.
According to the club’s manager Boitshepo Littah Gaegopolwe, Mahamutsa did well enough to impress the club’s technical team while on trial.
The Standerton-born joins VTM as a free agent after he had been unattached since parting ways with TS Sporting.
And in order to keep kit, he played in several Kasi football tournaments in and around Gauteng.
WHY VTM SIGNED ROOI MAHAMUTSA AT 41
“Petrus Rooi Mahamutsa is here with the purpose of motivating the players as well as sharing his experience,” said Gaegopolwe.
“With what he displayed, on the field of play during training sessions, we were left with no option but to sign him. VTM welcomes Rooi.
At VTM, Mahamutsa will reunite with his former Pirates teammate Sifiso Myeni who joined the ambitious club in August 2022.
VTM gained promotion to the Debswana First Division South ahead of the 2022/23 season. They are optimistic that the experience of Mahamutsa and Myeni will help the club reach greater heights.
Mahamutsa has featured in over 260 topflight matches for Pirates and Free State Stars with several major trophies under his belt, including two league titles and Nedbank Cup.
In 2013, he played in the CAF Champions League in which he scored a vital goal against Esperance of Tunisia to send Pirates to the final for the first time in 18 years.
The veteran defender follows in the footsteps of SA players, who have moved to Botswana in search of greener pastures.
Some of the big names that have plied their trade in Botswana include former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Manqoba ‘Shakes’ Ngwenya. He played for Botswana’s 16th-time champions, Township Rollers, between 2013 and 2015.
New Chippa United signing Tshepo Matete also played at Rollers and ex-Pirates attacker Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi, had a brief spell with Notwane FC in 2012.
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