AmaTuks to make U-turn on Ex-Baroka forward?

Motsepe Foundation Championship side University of Pretoria are set to make a U-turn on signing former Baroka forward Tristan Nikitaridis.

Nikitaridis spent the last campaign with Baroka in the DStv Premiership before they were relegated to the National First Division.

This publication reported this week that AmaTuks completed the signing of former Mamelodi Sundowns duo Thokozani Sekotlong and Rodney Ramagalela.

As a result, FARPost has been led to believe Ramagalela’s arrival has put a question mark on Nikitaridis. The 23-year-old forward is currently being assessed by the AmaTuks technical team.

Despite the insider at the Pretoria-based side suggesting the deal has been concluded, indications are that the club remains doubtful over the qualities of the lanky forward.

TRISTAN NIKITARIDIS BEING ASSESSED

“Nikitaridis hasn’t been signed yet. He’s still being assessed,” a source within AmaTuks told FARPost.

“Obviously, the coach [Tlisane Motaung] is looking for certain characteristics in a striker; hence he is taking his time.

“But with the way things have been going at training, the technical team don’t look convinced by the player.

“So also, with the club bringing on board the experienced Ramagalela, it might mean that Nikitaridis may not be signed,” added the source.

Nikitaridis broke into the scene through the Varsity Cup in 2021 when he made a name for himself in the University of Johannesburg colours.

Nikitaridis then joined Bakgakga at the start of the 2021/22 season but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.

Meanwhile, University of Pretoria have had a promising start to the 2022/23 campaign, but they have seemingly struggled for consistent form in front of goals.

Tlisane Motaung-coached club have managed to score 13 goals after 12 games played. They won four games, drew six while losing two times, and are currently positioned sixth on the second-tier league table.

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