Royal AM attacker Kabelo Mahlasela has defended the club’s decision to include chairman Andile Mpisane in the matchday squad since the start of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
Mpisane has featured in all of the four opening league matches for Thwihli Thwahla. AM played four successive draws and accumulated four points.
Meanwhile, the KZN-based side is currently banned by FIFA from registering new players after failing to pay settlement fees to Samir Nurkovic and Ricardo Nascimento.
The ban has left Royal AM with a thin squad, forcing them to use players from their DStv Diski Challenge side. This is the second season in a row that AM is unable to register new signings after being banned at the start of the 2023/24 season.
In the previous campaign, the Shauwn Mkhize-owned team finished 13th on the log standings with 33 points. They won nine games in the league, drew six and lost 15 times.
While AM’s ban has opened the door for Mpisane, the club has been heavily criticised on social media for fielding the 23-year-old.
WHAT DID KABELO MAHLASELA SAY ABOUT ANDILE MPISANE PLAYING REGULARLY FOR ROYAL AM?
Kabelo Mahlasela has come out to defend the central midfielder, disclosing that he trains every day and deserves a chance.
“This thing of being banned, not being able to sign players, is playing a big role in our squad, but we don’t want to dwell much on it because our job is to play on the field of play,” Mahlasela said.
“There’s nothing we can do. We’re taking it as it comes and fighting as a club to make sure we overcome obstacles in our way.
“Coming to the Chairman’s issue, I think everyone knows that Andile is still young. Yes, he’s the chairman of the club, but he’s still young. If he feels that he can play, Why not?
“He’s training every day. I think that’s one thing that people don’t know. He’s training every day with the club, so if he’s doing well, why not?”
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