Royal AM president Shauwn Mkhize has revealed why her son, Andile Mpisane, axed Ricardo Nascimento from the club.
Ricardo Nascimento joins the duo of Lantshene Phalane and Tshepo Rikhotso, who have also been cut into the wilderness.
According to Shauwn Mkhize, the club’s chairman Andile Mpisane had the final say in sealing the veteran Brazilians’ fate.
“We didn’t exercise our option,” Shawn Mkhize told Robert Marawa on MSW on Wednesday evening when referring to Nascimento’s release.
“His contract was finished. He is part of the players that were released. We had a contract that was going to finish by the end of the year. We had an option, but we chose not to exercise that option.”
Nascimento joined Royal AM in February last year after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2022.
After 31 appearances, it emerged that the defender was part of the players that challenged the club leadership, demanding their dues.
That was perhaps his fall from grace. And ultimately, the industrial action forced the club not to renew their marriage after one season together.
Shauwn Mkhize on Ricardo Nascimento
“I’m not going to speak about anyone’s [Nascimento] performance. He is a good player. He came from Sundowns, and I’m sure he’s still a good player,” MaMkhize continued.
“Royal AM wants to keep younger players. I think when Andile [Mpisane] came in, he made it very clear. He wanted to have younger players to give them an opportunity to showcase their talent.
“Nascimento is a bit older now, so he doesn’t fit the calibre of the players that Andile would like to bring in.
“I think he is a good player, but we want to bring in the young ones. I think that’s the reason.”
Aside from transfer issues, Royal AM still hopes to end the season in the top eight.
A win over their neighbours Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership clash on Saturday afternoon will be vital in achieving this feat.
Story by Joshua Hendricks
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