Khanyisa Mayo replacement still stuck in Europe

The Bafana Bafana international has joined Algerian outfit CR Belouizdad on a three-year contract following a transfer believed to be around R20-million.

Tinkler reveals that Frenchman and former Maritzburg United forward Amadou Soukouna has agreed terms with The Citizens, but his paperwork has led to the delay.

"Mayo had two very, very good seasons and he was in the press every week. 'Mayo was going to Sundowns, Mayo was going to Chiefs, Mayo was going here, Mayo was going there'. So, I said this before as a club we'll never stand in the way of a player progressing and bettering his life,” Tinkler said.

“We've always had to be aware of that situation, a lot of people assume we have done our scouting last minute but we started our scouting a long time ago. In terms of who we wanna bring in, who fits the profile, who has the personality, who has the characteristics.

“We had a replacement for him who unfortunately right now can't get in the country because he's banned but we are hoping to resolve that situation as soon as possible."

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The coach feels he has enough cover while the Soukouna saga is being handled with Home Affairs, adding that Jody Ah Shene is also ready to step up.

"The youngster Jody has really stepped up, he has really done well so far during the pre-season. So, we're very happy with the progress that he has made. We sent Luke Daniels on loan because we felt that he needed more game time. Then obviously Prins [Tijueza] has come back from injury, who can play as a 9 or a false 9. So, we have the options available to ourselves there."