Cape Town Spurs on verge of signing veteran defender Mogamad De Goede

SABC Sport understands the two parties have all but concluded a deal as recently appointed coach Ernst Middendorp looks to add experience to the Urban Warriors, who are now clearly relegation candidates in their first season back in the topflight. 

De Goede has been a free agent since September after leaving Maritzburg United when his contract with the Team of Choice was mutually terminated upon the club's relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season. 

The 30-year-old joined Maritzburg during the second half of the campaign at the same time as the arrival of coach Fadlu Davids, and the former Stellenbosch FC captain featured in every match. 

According to information provided to the public broadcaster, De Goede had initially been offered to Spurs three months ago while Shaun Bartlett was still in charge, but the proposal was turned down.

There now appears to have been a change of direction especially considering the dire situation, which has Spurs occupying the automatic relegation spot on the DStv Premiership log table.

The Cape outfit have managed a single league victory and conceded a worrisome 30 goals – the worst record in the Premiership's history so far. 

Middendorp has struggled to have the immediate impact the hierarchy were hoping for in the three fixtures since his appointment, with Spurs suffering defeats to Royal AM, Stellenbosch FC, and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The well-travelled De Goede is expected to add some steel, although he is not likely to be thrown into the deep end given his lack of match fitness from all the months spent on the sidelines.

The Premier Soccer League is expected to re-open its transfer window on 1 January 2024, when clubs – those who have not been handed a ban by FIFA – will again be able to reinforce their squads during the Africa Cup of Nations break.

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