AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has confirmed that Thabo Qalinge has left the club, while Hendrick Ekstein will stay.
Both players were out of contract at Usuthu at the end of the season, with their deals ending this month at the end of June.
“Qalinge, Section 10, I have let go of him and Ekstein is staying,” Zungu told this publication.
Both players were facing a bleak future even before this season started, as they were frozen out of the senior team by then coach Brandon Truter.
They trained with the reserve team, but their fortunes changed when Romain Folz was appointed in October last year to replace Truter.
The club informed Folz, who has since left Usuthu, that if he is looking for new players in the January transfer window he can have a look at them before looking outside.
However, Ekstein’s future changed, featuring in 13 matches in all competitions, scoring one goal that came against Dondol Stars in the Nedbank Cup round of 16.
Qalinge also scored once in his 11 matches in all competitions, with his goal coming when they drew 1-1 with Richards Bay in January.
The former Orlando Pirates winger is the second name whose AmaZulu exit has been confirmed, with Lehlohonolo Majoro being the other. Zungu, though, stated during Monday’s press conference that he doesn’t want to reveal all 11 players, who were told are not in the plans of the club.
Meanwhile, as it was previously revealed by iDiski Times, Zungu confirmed that team scout Ayanda Mkhize, general manager Tshepiso Mofokeng and team manager Qedi Dlamini have all left the club.
“The team manager is not going to stay on board, Ayanda Mkhize and the GM are not going to stay on board and they have been informed that it was nice to have you guys but this is bigger than me,” said Zungu.
Zungu concluded that he wants to appoint a sporting director who is going to oversee things right down to the development ranks.
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He also said the new coach will be appointed in the next coming weeks, after Ayanda Dlamini stepped down, adding the job was too big for him.
