Salim Magoola hasn't taken long to get recognition in local football and it might not take long for him to join one of the big clubs in the DStv Premiership, the Siya crew understands, while also still being in pursuit of emulating countryman Denis Onyango in writing his name in the history books of Mzansi football. The Richards Bay FC goalkeeper has been one of the key players for the side in what has been a decent first season in the elite league until the latter stages of the campaign where apparent loss of form has crept in. With 2022/23 left with four rounds of fixtures for most clubs, he's one of the names expected to headline the August/September transfer window, this according to sources in the know. The shot-stopper is believed to be on the radar of a few clubs, with both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates understood to be chasing his signature. There is a big-money buyout clause on the 27-year-old's contract, according to sources, which means that any of the potential suitors will have to be prepared to break the bank to secure his signature. There is a tricky situation though for the Natal Rich Boyz, as the Ugandan international is not on a long-term deal, and could soon leave on a free if potential suitors get scared off by his price tag and opt to buy time for when he becomes available. Will the ambitious club do everything in their power to hold on to one of their prized assets, or will they choose to cash in on him even if it means lowering the asking price for him? The Siya crew investigates!
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told…
Orlando Pirates have entered the race for Salim Jamal Magoola's services, and in so doing, have joined their perennial rivals Kaizer Chiefs in pursuit of his signature. In January this year, the Siya crew first reported on the interest from Amakhosi in the keeper, who had kept 11 clean sheets from 18 matches at the time. The player is on a two-year contract at Richards Bay, which he signed last year on arrival from Pretoria Callies. Therefore, at the end of the current campaign, he will be left with one year of the deal, with no option to extend. At the time of his signing, Magoola was a relatively unknown in Mzansi, which explains why the KZN club was reluctant to offer him a long-term deal. The club is now willing to sell the bulky net-minder to avoid the risk of losing him on a free when his contract ends on 30 June 2024.
Having realised their mistake of tying the star on a short-term deal, the club knows the best option would be to sell him in order to be left with something in the form of cash as compensation if he leaves.
"Pirates do have an interest in Salim Magoola as the club is currently looking for a goalkeeper. Something might happen at the end of the season regarding a possible next move for the player because Chiefs is also interested," said a source.
"He is one player who is in demand, I won't lie to you, and his next deal is likely to be in Jo'burg. At first, the club appeared to be reluctant to even entertain the talk of the player possibly leaving, but as you know, in football everyone has their price," the source added.
Richards Bay have tried, without success so far, to persuade Magoola into extending his deal, which might be an indication that the player has his mind made up about leaving for greener pastures. Indications are that the club's ambitious chairman, Sifiso 'Jomo' Biyela, won't stand in the player's way, as apart from being a top football person, he is also a father-figure who is all about giving employees opportunities for growth.
"The chairman sees Salim as one of his prized assets. He is a national team player and is still 27. He was in goals for Uganda during the recent Afcon qualifiers. Yes, he (Biyela) might have wanted to have the player's contract extended because he's been doing well for the team, but that won't make the chairman to stand in his way, he isn't someone like that," noted the informant.
"There's a buyout clause of R8 million, from what I understand, therefore the chairman won't be left empty-handed if the player leaves in the next transfer window. It's Chiefs and Pirates (who are interested in the player)," the mole revealed. Depending on the negotiations between parties, the R8 million buyout clause could be a stumbling block between Magoola leaving or staying for the last year of his contract. However, the two Soweto giants are known for their good negotiating skills when it comes to player transfers, with both clubs having also done business with Richards Bay in the past.
Watch the space!
What Are The Facts?
In just a few months in the professional ranks in Mzansi, Magoola has managed to prove his worth and show why he's a Ugandan national team player. For a very long time this season, he's arguably been the team's best player based on his numbers. After only 12 rounds of fixtures, he had nine clean sheets and was one of the key players as Richards Bay showed that they were not in the topflight to just add numbers. With those impressive statistics, he equalled Onyango's record, who had achieved the same feat in 2020/21 with the Brazilians. After 14 rounds of fixtures, Magoola had conceded just six goals, with three of those from the same match – the thrilling 3-3 draw against Chippa United. For the better part of the first half of the campaign, the side occupied second place on the log, and Magoola was one of the reasons for such a feat for the newcomers. The player's progress impressed ex-Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic, the Ugandan national team coach, who rewarded the netminder with a re-call to the Cranes, which was for the first time he returned to the fold since 2021. With five matches remaining for the Natal Rich Boys, Magoola is on 11 clean sheets, second on the charts to Ronwen Williams.
The Story Behind The Scenes
Pirates With Edge In Magoola's Chase?
It's been widely reported that the Buccaneers are in search of a goalkeeper to add to the squad for next season and different names of players have been bandied about in the last few weeks as the club's options. The club currently has two of their experienced goalkeepers, in Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane, yet to be confirmed as having signed contract extensions. Both players have their deals coming to an end in June, according to the information known to Soccer Laduma. Meanwhile, Pirates have built up a good relationship with Richards Bay in recent years, which could place them in a favourable position to land Magoola, as things stand. For the current campaign, the Houghton-based outfit has midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu on loan at the Natal Rich Boys, while there have been deals in the past involving the two clubs, including that of Sandile Mthethwa who has had different stints on loan at the KZN side.
Zungu could be used as sweetener to lure Magoola to Bucs in a player(s)-plus-cash deal, depending on the negotiations. Based on his comment about Zungu in edition 1309 of Soccer Laduma, Richards Bay coach Vasili Manousakis rates Zungu highly and is willing to revive his career. The mentor said, "You know, the first thing that captured me is his work-rate. When we did the tests with the guys on the athletics tracks, the first person I wanted to look at was Zungu. I called him and of course I knew who he was because I had seen him at Stellenbosch FC and I had seen a little bit of him at (Orlando) Pirates, and I asked him what happened. He told me that he lost his way and said he went into such a deep dark place. He said he was ready to start all over again and get out of that dark place. He was out of shape, but what was encouraging was his willingness to work hard in order to get fit again. He was overweight. But I was happy to see the transformation in him as the weeks went by, his weight loss, his attitude, and I said to myself, 'This guy is special.' I don't see many number eights in the PSL with a left foot that he's got, the pass that he's got and the eye for that special pass. That guy has got all the qualities of a top footballer and I said to myself sometimes that's what the player needs – to be given a second chance. If they slip, you've got to help them to stand up again."
End In Sight For Chiefs-Khune Marriage?
While he's proven every time he has been given a chance to play that form is temporary but class is permanent, Itumeleng Khune has appeared to be facing an uncertain future with the Glamour Boys, with injuries having also played a role in derailing his progress. The veteran, who'll be turning 36 in June, will see his contract expire at the end of the same month and the club has not yet indicated if it will be extended. Indications have been that Mzansi's former number one could be affected by the changes likely to take place at the club as seen in recent seasons when the likes of Bernard Parker, Willard Katsande and others were allowed to leave after years of loyal service. With Magoola among their targets, the Naturena-based outfit could use Austin Dube, whom they signed from Richards Bay in 2021 but has struggled for game-time, as part of the deal to sign the highly-rated goalkeeper. Dube is believed to be wanting out and keen on a return to KZN, where he enjoyed his football and was a regular. Chiefs, meanwhile, are said to be open to granting him his wish.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"Richards Bay are in a tight corner in this situation because the player is not on a long-term contract and the only option would be to sell him now as any failure to do so could lead to the club losing him on a free. They should have tied him on a long-term contract, but it sounds like they were not sure about him at the time. With interest from the league's big guns, it's going to be difficult for his club to convince him otherwise, especially if he is the one who wants to leave for greener pastures. At this stage of his career, the player won't want to let the opportunity slip and as his agent I would advise him to go for the best possible deal. But he's got age on his side and he can afford to play for one more season at Richards Bay and move at the end of next season. I think the club will be willing to listen to offers for him and cash in on him – that would be the best thing to do for all the parties in a situation like this."
Watch This Space
At the end of the season, Richards Bay will be left with few options with regards to deciding what they need to do with Magoola and the interest being shown in his services. As club chairman, Biyela has shown over the years that he wants the best for his club and the decision he will be making on the player will be the best one for the team. After a good first season in the topflight in the first round of the campaign, Biyela may decide that he doesn't want to lose any of the team's influential players in preparing for the new season. However, if the figures mentioned to sell him for are anything to go by, the ambitious boss might be tempted to sell and look for a replacement goalkeeper for next season. For now, the KZN outfit is in control of the situation, but in January next year, that could change.
