Qalinge: SuperSport United officially confirm departure of ex-Orlando Pirates winger and two others

SuperSport United have officially parted ways with attacking midfielder Thabo Qalinge.

The 28-year-old player failed to make an impact during his time with Matsatsantsa, having joined the club on a free transfer from Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the current season.

The Tshwane giants have since announced that Qalinge has left the club along with Thakasani Mbanjwa and Thato Lesoma.

SuperSport released the following statement on Friday evening confirming the moves.

"We would like to confirm the departure of Thabo Qalinge, Thakasani Mbanjwa and Thato Lesoma," a club statement read.

"We thank them for their contributions and wish them well with their future endeavours."

Qalinge made only five appearances across all competitions for Matsatsantsa before the current season was suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic last March.

The former Mpumalanga Black Aces winger had signed a one-year deal with the Tshwane giants and the contract expired at the end of last month.

Lesoma and Mbanjwa, who are both promising goalkeepers, have left SuperSport without making a single appearance for the team this season.

Newly-appointed Matsatsantsa captain Ronwen Williams has been an ever-present for the team in both the PSL and cup competitions.

However, Mbanjwa has left the club having played one match for the team which was against Bloemfontein Celtic in the 2018 Nedbank Cup Round of 16 match.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper, who is a former South Africa under-23 international, joined coach Kaitano Tembo's side from Bidvest Wits ahead of the 2017/18 season.

Mbanjwa was hoping to establish himself at SuperSport having left the Clever Boys without making his competitive debut for the team.

While Lesoma played for Matsatsantsa's reserve side in the Multichoice Diski Challenge (MDC) before being promoted to the first team earlier this season.

The 21-year-old shot-stopper was nurtured in the University of Pretoria academy and he leaves the Tshwane giants without playing a single match for the first team.

Lesoma was part of the South Africa under-20 squad which took part in a Three-Nation tournament in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire where they faced hosts England and Brazil in 2017.

He started both matches as Amajita, under the guidance of coach Helman Mkhalele, suffered a 4-0 defeat to Brazil, before they secured a 2-1 victory over England.