‘What happened at Royal AM was not nice’, reveals new Pirates striker Mabena
Newly-signed Orlando Pirates striker Ndumiso Mabena has opened up about his unpleasant exit from KwaZulu-Natal side, Royal AM.
The 35-year old striker rejoined Pirates on Thursday, 8 December alongside speedster Craig Martin from Cape Town City.
Mabena returns to the Buccaneers for his second stint after leaving the Soweto giants at the start of 2014/15 campaign to join the now-defunct Platinum Stars.
He had been training with Pirates for several weeks before finally penning a one-and-a half season deal.
Mabena spent the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season at Royal AM but struggled to find consistent form due to injuries.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic star has spilled the bills on what transpired at Royal AM.
NDUMISO MABENA ON ROYAL AM STINT
“I don’t feel bad about leaving Royal AM,” Ndumiso Mabena told SNAWA.
“The things that happened at Royal AM were not nice but I think mentally I was ready and strong.
“We had to arrive for preseason in June and when I got there, the Royal AM general manager [Richard Makhoba] sent me to Swallows.
“At the preseason camp, I told the chair lady [Shauwn Mkhize] that I would not go to Swallows because I knew nothing about this and had no agreement with Swallows.
“I was there for Royal AM preseason camp but I didn’t train with the team.
“We signed a mutual agreement for me and Royal AM to part ways and then they gave me my clearance,” added Mabena.
The Groblersdal-born goal-poacher made 24 appearances in all competitions for Thwihli Thwahla and scored two goals while contributing two assists.
Mabena faces a stiff competition in the Buccaneers striking force with Kermit Erasmus and Zakhele Lepasa currently the preferred striking duo.
Furthermore, Mabena expressed his interest of playing for Bafana Bafana despite his age.
“I never think that it’s over for me and Bafana, only God knows if the opportunity comes then I will be ready,” he declared.
“I have two caps for Bafana, I think my last season at Platinum Stars didn’t go well because that’s where I started not playing then I went to join Celtic.”
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