Mikia Kalati

Bantu have signed star-winger Lebajoa Mosehlenyane from Linare in an effort to reinforce their side following four back-to-back defeats last month.

Linare public relations officer, Refiloe Makhobotloane, told the  Sunday Express that efforts to keep their free-scoring hitman had  failed hence his move to Bantu.

“Mosehlenyane has left for Bantu because he asked to leave the club. We could not stand in his way after attempts to make him stay with Linare had failed,” Makhobotloane said.

“Even some of his family members tried to make him stay at his hometown club, but he had already made up his mind about leaving.”

Makhobotloane said the former youth international had indicated that what Bantu were offering him was too good to turn down.

“We had a letter from Bantu as earlier as the second day of the New Year and have been in talks ever since. Like I said, our intention was to keep the winger as we built a formidable side again,” said Makhobotloane.

“But unfortunately, we could not match what Bantu were offering him and in the end, the club had to let him go for greener pastures.

“I can also tell you that we are negotiating with a number of teams to reinforce our squad and hopefully, the discussions will go well and we will get the players.

“It is just that some of the asking prices are way too high for us, but we remain confident that we will succeed in the end.”

However, Bantu communications and marketing manager, Motlatsi Mofokeng would neither confirm nor deny signing Mosehlenyane despite recently parting ways with a number of players, among them first-choice goalkeeper Kholoue Phasumane.

“Our culture is to unveil all our new players at the same time once everything has been finalised,” Mofokeng said.

“But what I can tell you is that there will be a number of new faces in the team when the second round of the season gets underway this weekend.”

Apart from Mosehlenyane, the Sunday Express has also learnt that Bantu have acquired the services of former Qoaling Highlanders forward Tšoeu Mosollo. The club is also said to be assessing players from the Eastern Cape in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Hopolang Mohlalefi, recently transfer-listed by Bantu, is training with Matlama.

Matlama coach, Moses Maliehe, told the Sunday Express that his side would be  adding a few faces to their squad during the current transfer window.

‘We are in contention for the league title and must beef-up our squad with a few players,” Maliehe said.

“Talks are ongoing at the moment and those deals could be finalized by next week.”