SuperSport and striker Benson Shilongo agree to part ways

The Namibian international joined the Tshwane outfit in September last year and is understood to have put pen to paper on a two-year contract at the time, but was still waiting to make his official debut. 

Matthews has now explained that a matter involving the forward and his former club, Egyptian side Ismaily, appears to not have been resolved to pave the way for his second stint in the Premier Soccer League. 

Shilongo spent two years at the now defunct Platinum Stars before moving to North Africa in 2018 to initially join Pyramids and then later Ismaily. 

“We agreed upfront with Benson that we would want to bring him on board only after his matter with his previous club was finally settled. Unfortunately that matter has dragged on longer than expected and will now only be heard later in the year, so we have agreed that it’s best for both parties that Benson explore other options and we can re-assess things when his case is settled,” Matthews told SABC Sport.

The reason for Shilongo leaving Ismaily in December 2021 was due to the club failing in their commitment to pay the player’s salary. 

He did transfer to Israel for a few months and it was thought he was cleared to subsequently move on and return to South Africa with SuperSport. 

“Benson has been super professional and dedicated throughout his time training with us and it’s frustrating and unacceptable really that any player should have to have a matter drag on for well over a year without being fully resolved through the dispute resolution structures in place. We hope he can get on with his livelihood and playing the game he loves soon,” Matthews concluded.