Oupa Manyisa sheds light on why he’s no longer at La Masia
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa has shed light on why he is no longer at Motsepe Foundation Championship side La Masia.
Manyisa recently cut ties with Platinum City Rovers after joining them in 2021. He made 27 appearances across the last two seasons for the club.
When leaving the North West outfit, the 34-year-old told Rovers he wanted to focus on a youth coaching project.
OUPA MANYISA RESURFACED AT LA MASIA
The ex-Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder then resurfaced at La Masia in January. His move to La Masia was thought to have been orchestrated by former Rovers coach Ashwin Sutton.
Sutton was appointed as the head coach of La Masia last month. Subsequently, the club offered Manyisa a six-month deal with an option of a year.
However, FARPost can confirm that he is not with the club after the deal collapsed.
“He only went in the first week. He’s never returned for training,” a La Masia senior player told this publication.
Manyisa confirmed he was no longer at the club when contacted for comment.
“We never agreed on the monetary side of the deal. So I never signed anything with them. I did train with them, but we never signed anything.
“The last conversation with them was that the package they offered and what I asked for were too far apart. We then agreed it would not work,” Manyisa told FARPost.
PULLED BACK ON THEIR DECISION
Nazeer Baker, the club’s chairman, said they pulled back on their decision to sign Manyisa when they realigned their thoughts.
“I think after looking at everything, we said, let’s relook at it [the deal]. Oupa is good, but we’re looking at the future based on a three-year plan. And obviously, when you look at a three-year plan, you’ve got to look at youngsters to save the status,” Baker told FARPost.
The Gauteng-based side had planned to use Manyisa’s experience to steer away from the relegation zone.
Nonetheless, they have won the last two games against Black Leopards and Hungry Lions. Both matches were won on 2-0 scorelines, a run that saw them move from the bottom of the Motsepe Foundation Championship to position 10.
They have collected 21 points from 18 games.
Manyisa also played for Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, TTM and Chippa United, lifting five league trophies, one Telkom Knockout and two MTN8 cups throughout his career.
He is on record as ruling out a return to the PSL, although he insists he feels strong to go on for a few more years in the second tier.
“I still feel strong, and I think I can continue for a few more years,” Manyisa told FARPost in a previous interview.
RELATED STORY: Oupa Manyisa joins Motsepe Foundation Championship side La Masia