Royal AM could literally pull the rug from under the feet of SuperSport United regarding the signature of an exceptional Swazi international player that has just won the league championship in the mountain kingdom. Soccer Laduma has established that though Matsatsantsa a Pitori had identified Green Mambas box-to-box midfielder Mxolisi Mkhonto as a possible signee, the player is, in fact, in KwaZulu Natal.
According to Siya sources, while Gavin Hunt had identified Mkhonto and Mbabane Swallows' Kwakhe Thwala as players that could add value to his team, but Royal AM invited the former for a three-day assessment last week.
Mkhonto is understood to have impressed the Durban-based side's technical committee with his high work-rate and ability to break down attacks from the opposition, while his passing game is also flawless.
Indications from sources are that the player was given permission by his club as well as national coach Dominic Kunene to undertake the trip to Durban and the national team will link up with him this week when they arrive for the COSAFA Cup, which gets underway in Durban on July 5.
But there is also growing fear that unless Royal AM moves with the speed of lightning to tie up potential additional personnel, they could find themselves unable to sign new players if FIFA follows through on their threat.
The world football controlling body instructed the club to compensate former player Samir Nurkovic after prematurely cancelling his contract when they allegedly discovered that he signed while injured. The Serbian striker won his case and FIFA ordered Royal AM to pay, but the club aims to appeal the decision.
