Former Maritzburg United and Bafana Bafana defender Bonginkosi Makume has been handed a new lease of life at Baroka FC as he reunites with Morgan Mammila, whom he has worked under previously.
Makume has been out of competitive football since his shock exit from Motsepe Foundation Championship Upington City in January.
He had spent just under five months at the club, before becoming a free agent.
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The 28-year-old has perhaps been one of the unluckiest footballers in the PSL. He was relegated with Baroka FC at the end of the 2021/22 season, then once more with the Team of Choice the following season.
During those two spells, Makume delivered impressive individual performances and earned numerous Man of the Match awards, and it was unsurprising when he was called up to be part of the Bafana Bafana squad that earned a silver medal in the 2022 COSAFA Cup.
The centre-back has resurfaced at Bakgaga and was among the club's new 11 signings unveiled ahead of the 2024/25 season.
"You know, I play a system of playing from the back. You know I don't play long balls. I need players that are comfortable on the ball. Makume is comfortable on the ball," Mammila told journalists on the defender's return.
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Makume had spent four seasons at the club, making 83 appearances with a return of three goals and two assists.
He will be hoping to help realise Mammila's ambition of sealing promotion to the top-flight.
Baroka's new signings include former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs striker Siphelele Mthembu, as well as former Pirates midfielder Collins Makgaka among others.