Cape Town City set to lose Brice Ambina to European market

The Cameroon international has been a noticeable absentee since the resumption of the Premier Soccer League last weekend after the lengthy AFCON break, and this has forced City to sign Khanya Leshabela.

Speaking subsequent to The Citizens being dumped out of the Nedbank Cup round of 32 by SuperSport United on penalties, Tinkler gave an update on Ambina.

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"We lost Brice Ambina, now he left to go on trial, he's away. Thato Mokeke, long term injury. So, we lost two key midfielders. We had Khanya training with us for us to assess and because of the situation that has occurred we ended up signing Khanya rapidly," Tinkler said.

Ambina would have to be signed as a free agent with the window already closed, and Tinkler commented as though it was only a formality that the midfielder would leave.

City also offloaded Thato Mokeke recently.

"Losing Ambina, losing Mokeke, two big losses to us. So, then losing KG [Katlego Mokhuoane] now and then we have to bring Khanya in because we don't think Khanya is actually ready yet because he was out. I think the last time he kicked the ball was October. So, we're looking to get him fit, get him ready and yeah, he did well but I don't think if he started the game I don't think he could have lasted," Tinkler added.

Leshabela, 24, was on the books of English side Leicester City until July last year and has been looking for a club since.

He made his debut in the cup defeat against SuperSport, but Tinkler reveals it was out of desperation that he featured.

"He was called in really last minute to fly up, we flew him up basically yesterday because he wasn't really in our plans as yet. But Khanya was someone that we obviously identified as someone who could come in and add value especially since we lost Thato Mokeke but the situation got worse with Ambina obviously going on this trial."