Philani Zulu, Given Mashikinya lead Sekhukhune United player exodus

According to SABC Sport sources, Babina Noko are planning ahead for the upcoming season and making room for new faces when the transfer window opens on 1 July for clubs to register players.

Truter was consistent in his comments about the need to reduce what he described as a “bloated” squad at Sekhukhune, even before they reached their maiden Nedbank Cup final, which they lost 2-1 to Orlando Pirates last month.

Mashikinya and Zulu were both signed at the halfway mark of the season passed, making their exits somewhat surprising.

Sekhukhune signed them shortly after the FIFA World Cup break in November last year to beef up a team that had started the campaign poorly under then-coach Kaitano Tembo, who was later sacked.

The duo were part of the cup final squad – although they were unused substitutes at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, and that would have suggested they were still very much part of Truter’s future plans.

Mashikinya came from Maritzburg United, while Zulu was a free agent after cutting ties with AmaZulu several months before. 

They seemed like good bargains, but SABC Sport understands they will now lead a player exodus at Babina Noko with more exits set to be confirmed.

Sekhukhune will represent the Premier Soccer League in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, and Truter will therefore need a sizeable squad to help balance the demands of the domestic and continental schedule.