Africa

Wayward SA Star Mabizela Put On Transfer

International defender Mbulelo “OJ” Mabizela has been placed on transfer after a string of wayward behaviour, his South African club Mamelodi Sundowns announced Wednesday.

7 Jan 2009 20:30:54

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Mabizela went AWOL in September and was recently charged for drunk driving before he again missed training around the festive season.

The 28-year-old defender's contract was due to end in June.

Sundowns owner, Patrice Motsepe, has been far from impressed with the conduct of the former South Africa skipper and the player's recent arrest for drunk driving in Durban was seen as the last straw.

A source told a newspaper: “The president [Motsepe] is doing everything he can to protect the image of the club and he was deeply embarrassed to read about one of his players being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Motsepe is understandably angry with OJ who has courted more controversies for the club. He went AWOL in September but he was given another chance to mend his wayward behaviour.

“His disappearing acts also saw him miss the Bafana Bafana camp for the friendly against Malawi. That also embarrassed Motsepe as he was seen as failing to control his players.”

The defender has featured for Orlando Pirates and Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, but he seemed to lose his way in no time and what followed was a downward slide in what was once a promising career.

Samm Audu