The arrival and registration of Abubeker Nassir looks set to end the spell of Pavol Šafranko at Mamelodi Sundowns after just one season at the club.
Šafranko, 27, arrived with high expectations after his €700,000 (R12-million) transfer from Romanian side Sepsi OSK but has not been afforded regular first-team opportunities due to the form of PSL Footballer of the Year, Peter Shalulile.
The Slovakia international scored nine goals in 29 games, 12 of which were starts which boosted a credible return but it’s believed the technical team feels Nassir brings another dimension to the squad while Šafranko has not suited their desired playing style.
With Chile international Marcelo Allende and Morocco defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil yet to arrive in the country, they are set to fill the final two of the five foreign quota spots available leaving Šafranko in limbo.
“Nassir, Šafranko, I think the club will make announcements, the profile of our club has changed a little bit – and therefore there are certain things that… the club will make the announcements, I am not at liberty to speak about that at the moment,” Mokwena said in the post-match press conference when asked by iDiski Times about the towering striker.
Nassir, who was registered by the club last week has impressed in his two cameo appearances from the bench so far, scoring a spectacular first goal for the club during the 4-0 rout over Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday afternoon at Loftus.
While Mokwena remained coy on whether Nassir spells the end of Šafranko, it’s been no secret that there’s been interest in the forward during the off-season, but it remains to be seen whether he will be loaned out or released from his lucrative contract.
