Lamontville Golden Arrows have made their first signing, bringing in Hungry Lions midfielder Olwethu Ncube, likely to be the replacement of Pule Mmodi after he left to join Kaizer Chiefs.
Abafana Bes’Thende, who were the best of the five teams in KwaZulu-Natal teams in the top flight last season, have signed Ncube, this publication understands.
The 24-year-old featured in 28 matches in all competitions for the Postmasburg side that finished fifth in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season, scoring two goals.
By the look of things, Ncube appears to be a direct replacement of Mmodi, who has signed with Amakhosi on a free transfer and already started training with his new club, even though he is yet to be officially unveiled.
Arrows, unlike under Muhsin Ertugral in the 2011/12 season, are giving more unknown players opportunities in the top flight and it was the same with Mmodi when he joined the club ahead of 2020/ 21 season from Uthongathi FC
He became the best player in the team, leading him to get a a call up for Bafana Bafana and making his debut in September.
He was heavily linked with the move to Chiefs even before the 2022/23 season started but the move did not materialise.
Chiefs again came back in the January transfer window and again both parties failed to find each other, leading Mmodi to stay on before leaving this month.
As the 30-year-old has left a huge hole in Arrows’ attack, the club will seemingly not go and buy a player with huge experience elsewhere, but they will do what has worked for them all these years, giving unknown players top flight opportunities.
It is what they have done to the likes of Siyavuya Ndlovu, Sbonelo Cele, Ntshikelelo Nxadi, Saziso Magawana, Themba Mantshiyane, Nduduzo Mhlongo and Nqobeko Dlamini.
They know that at some point many of these players will shine brightly, which then leads to sales to bigger clubs, just like at the start of last season with Nkosinathi Sibisi joined Orlando Pirates.
Abafana Bes’Thende, under co-coach Vusi Vilakazi and Mabhuti Khenyeza, helped the club finish ninth in the DStv Premiership table last term.
