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Hungry Lions FC discusses transfer links of highly-rated striker to Pirates

Hungry Lions FC coach Hendry Basie has discussed the transfer links of the club’s highly-rated striker to Orlando Pirates.

The Kimberly-based side is participating in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after gaining promotion from the ABC Motsepe League in 2020.

In their recent match in the second-tier league Hungry Lions lost 2-1 to Pretoria Callies at TUT Stadium on Sunday. The defeat against Callies left Lions ninth on the log with 35 points after 25 matches. They have won nine league games, drew eight, and lost on eight occasions.

Lions also made it to the last 16 of the 2024 Nedbank Cup, where they lost 4-0 against Pirates at Orlando Stadium last month.

After the clash against the Soweto giants, several media reports linked Lions striker Muzomuhle Khanyisa to Pirates. The 24-year-old attacker has scored four goals in 21 games in the Championship.

Speaking in an interview with FARPost, Hendry Basie says the reports are good, but they have affected the player and changed how he conducts himself at training.

Hungry Lions FC striker Muzomuhle Khanyi at training
Muzomuhle Khanyi/Picture by Hungry Lions FC

“That’s good for us if it’s going to happen. We want situations like that, but the problem is that it brings pressure to the player, and it’s coming at the wrong time,” said Basie.

“There are a lot of rumours coming in our team; that’s why we want to do well game by game, but in essence, it’s a good thing that our player is on the wishlist of a big team.

“You know our mentality can change overnight when you are a good player and you suddenly become arrogant. People are trying to put things in your head, and sometimes, if the player is not strong enough, it becomes a problem.

“We need to sharpen our players mentally. We need to tell them that they can be the players they want to be, but they must wait for the right time.

“I had a conversation with him because if you don’t speak to them, they think it’s normal, so we need to tell them to wait for the right time.

“There was a moment where we started seeing a bit of change in his action and the way he walks, you understand, but we needed to talk about it and be frank.”

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