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Malukele Mathonsi signs for Venda FC after messy Casric exit

FARPost has it on good authority that Malukele Mathonsi has signed for Motsepe Foundation Championship side Venda FC following his messy exit from Casric Stars.

The 29-year-old spent two seasons at Casric since joining them in the 2022/23 campaign from the now-defunct Free State Stars.

Mathonsi played an important role at Casric last season, featuring in 22 games across all competitions and leading the side with the aplomb of a veteran.

After cutting ties with Casric, Mathonsi joined the SAFA Gauteng ABC Motsepe League side Free Agents, who recently faced Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 encounter to keep fit until December 2024.

The talented midfielder brings much-needed experience to the Limpopo side, who are currently languishing at the bottom [15th place] of the SA football second-tier table with 12 points after 16 matches.

The former Casric captain also had a stint with TS Galaxy back in the 2019/20 season, where he nurtured his football skills and made a name for himself.

Malukele Mathonsi in action for his former club Casric Stars
Malukele Mathonsi in action for his former club Casric Stars Photo: Supplied

HOW MALULEKE MATHONSI LEFT CASRIC STARS

In a surprising turn of events, Mathonsi was released from the club via a phone call from the manager. The player told this publication last year that no reason was given for his release.

Mathonsi said his former club branded him a drunkard, troublesome, and a bad influence after his departure. He learned of these allegations after an unsuccessful week-long trial at another Motsepe Foundation Championship club. That club released him after contacting his former coach, Sundra Govinder, then still at Casric, for a reference.

The player felt the club was hindering his ability to move on, and his attempts to contact club officials to resolve the matter were met with indifference.

“I was released by Casric Stars at the end of the season with no reason stated. So, I was told via a phone call by the football manager that the management had a meeting,” Mathonsi told FARPost in August 2024.

“I said okay ‘no problem’. Then, I went to one of the teams playing the same league, which is the Motsepe Foundation Championship, for assessment. The team called the head coach Sundra for reference, asking why would they let the captain go, asking for reference.

“The head coach Sundra told the club that I’m a drunkard, a bad influence on the players and I sell games. I believe that was the reason they didn’t sign me.”

Venda FC will lock horns with Baroka FC in a Motsepe Foundation Championship Limpopo derby this afternoon. The game will take place at Thohoyandou Stadium, with kickoff set for 15:30.

RELATED STORY: Malukele Mathonsi opens up about his unpleasant departure from Casric Stars

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