Durban outfit Royal AM are closing in on their first two signings ahead of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season.
AM have already cut ties with Ricardo Nascimento, Lantshene Phalane and Tshepo Rikhotso. The club is bringing in a number of new faces as they prepare for next season.
ROYAL AM CLOSING IN ON DUO
FARPost can reveal that the Shauwn Mkhize-owned side is on the verge of completing the signings of two players.
Lebogang Mabotja and Cohen Stander are currently in talks with the club, with indications that they could be part of the squad next season.
Orlando Pirates were monitoring him alongside Riaan Hanamub of AmaZulu but opted against signing him.
At the Marumo awards ceremony last week, Mabotja was named Most Consistent Player. He has had a good season with Marumo Gallants, featuring in 39 games in all competitions.
In the DStv Premiership, the 31-year has played 28, while the other 11 came in the CAF Confederation Cup. He has provided two assists, helping Marumo to the semi-final of the CAF interclub tournament.
However, the Limpopo outfit were unable to save their domestic league status as they enjoyed a fairytale run in the Africa Safari.
Marumo chairman Abram Sello has admitted it will be difficult to keep most of their players as they go down to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
CONTRACT STATUS
In Mabotja’s case, however, the club had an option which was not binding. “Like Ranga Chivaviro, the club had an option but they never triggered it. Mabotja is a free agent because they didn’t exercise the option they had,” a Marumo source told FARPost.
Cohen, on the other hand, is out of contract in June and will join on a free transfer. The 29-year-old left-back has been a key player for Cape Town Spurs. He will still be involved in the promotional playoffs that kick off over the weekend.
According to a source, the former Ajax Cape Town defender has been offered a three-year deal. It is, however, unclear how long Mabotja’s deal is.
RELATED STORY: Why Andile Mpisane axed Ricardo Nascimento
