Baroka FC confirm Thandani Ntshumayelo's acquisition

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo has signed a short term deal with Baroka FC with an added option to sign for two more seasons.

Speaking to Goal, the club’s media officer Richard Mashabane says they are pleased to have a player of ‘Bibo’s’ calibre, and hopes that he will help them as they look to evade relegation.

“Yeah, he is doing well and his experience will definitely help us. Remember he has been away from the game for a long time and he had to prove himself,” Mashabane told Goal.

The former SuperSport United anchor man was banned from football for four years after he was found guilty of allegedly using cocaine in 2016.

However, his ban was lifted in 2018 after a successful appeal and was cleared to return to the field by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), subsequently reducing his ban to two years.

“He is one of the talented players in the country there is no doubt about that. He is still young at 28 and we needed someone to come in and help us,” said the media officer.

Following his appeal last year, Ntshumayelo was invited to train with Bidvest Wits under former Matsatsantsa coach Gavin Hunt, but he failed to secure a deal in Braamfontein.

“He was recommended to us by Wits coach Gavin Hunt. You will remember he was training with Wits for a long time, unfortunately, they could not sign him and Hunt said he has someone very good we can look at and we decided to have him,” he added.

“He has signed until the end of the season with an option for two years, but I am sure he will definitely sign at the end of the season,” concluded Mashabane.