Motsepe Foundation Championship newbies Highbury FC have shown just how ambitious they are after completing deals to sign two highly-rated former PSL stars just in time for the start of the season.
The Kabelo Sibiya-led side is set to make its maiden appearance in the second-tier league after winning promotion via the ABC Motsepe League Play-Offs at the end of last season, and are now set to take on Black Leopards at the Nelson Mandela University Athletics Stadium in the Eastern Cape on Friday.
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Former Cape Town City defender Zukile Kewuti and midfielder Phumlani Ntshangase, previously on the books of Bidvest Wits, have signed on the dotted line.
"Both Ntshangase and Kewuti have signed. The club needed experience and went to sign both players. Sinethemba Mngomezulu, who also used to play for Stellenbosch FC, is training with the team and set to sign soon," a source close to the club's dealings revealed.
The acquisition of the duo might prove to be a big win as they come highly recommended despite being somewhat forgotten figures.
Kewuti got his big breakthrough under Benni McCarthy at Cape Town City, with the former Bafana Bafana later bringing him to AmaZulu when he fell out of favour at the Citizens.
For his part, Ntshangase was teammates with Steven Pienaar at Wits, after the latter returned from Europe. 'Schillo' is said to have rated him so highly that when once asked who among the young Clever Boys brigade he thought had it in them to make it overseas, he made special mention of the now 29-year-old.
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Sadly, he never made good on that prediction, and is now looking for a big comeback that could propel him back to the topflight for one big contract.
Furthermore, Highbury have since retained the services of head coach Sibiya after he helped them win promotion. They have been joined by Kruger United in the division.
"Coach Kabelo Sibiya has signed a three-year contract with Highbury," added the source.