Mongala joins Bloemfontein Celtics

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday August 5, 2011 00:00

 

In what should come as good news for Zebras' coach, Stanley Tshosane, Mongala joined the Bloemfontein-based side yesterday after enduring a frustrating season at Pirates. The dazzling winger told Mmegi Sport yesterday that he had joined Celtic but declined to comment further.

'I am in Bloemfontein as we speak, but I was instructed not to comment on the deal,' Mongala said. The diminutive winger saw limited game time as Pirates won the treble last season under coach, Rudolf Krol. He had joined from First Division side, Pretoria University after an impressive spell during the 2008 Nedbank Cup.

With the arrival of new coach, Julio Leal at Pirates, Mongala might have fancied his chances but remained an unused member during pre-season tournaments.

His chances of first team action diminished with the return from long-term injury of Daine Klate and the arrival of Samheeg Doutie from Ajax Cape Town.

Mongala has been an integral member of the Zebras as they secured a maiden berth in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  finals.

The player reportedly told Pirates that he wanted to move in order to get regular game time ahead of the AFCON finals, which kick off on January 23 in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Meanwhile, national team coach, Stanley Tshosane has dismissed South African media reports that he has extended his contract with the Botswana Football Association (BFA).Tshosane's contract runs out next February after the AFCON finals.

Tshosane became the first coach to lead the Zebras to the AFCON finals. 'My contract ends next year and talk that I have extended is untrue,' Tshosane said yesterday. The reports emerged when Tshosane was with the Zebras in South Africa early this week.