Malajila and Ngele too expensive for Bidvest Wits

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt says Cuthbert Malajila and Mogakolodi Ngele won't be part of their squad next season because of the asking price from Mamelodi Sundowns.


Hunt says Malajila and Ngele prefer to stay with the Clever Boys after moving from Mamelodi Sundowns on a loan deal and helping them win their first PSL league title in 96 years.

The former SuperSport United coach says Sundowns’ asking price for the pair is a figure Wits are not willing to pay.

The duo are expected to return to the mother club in Pretoria in the current off-season.

“The players are going back, Sundowns want [too much money] for them,” Hunt said.

“At this point in time, they [Ngele and Malajila] don’t want to go back, but they will go back. They have a contract, and that was part of the deal.”

“We are going to lose a few more players. There are a few going already so that’s another problem,” Hunt said.

“And it is a problem‚ because if you look at the local market‚ and I said to somebody yesterday. If you give somebody R100 million‚ who are you going to buy in South Africa?

“Because you don’t want to pay prices like that and spend ridiculous money on players. And we don’t do that.

“So it’s very difficult to acquire players. We have to look like we do‚ in the free market and try and build up the right players.

“But it doesn’t always work. And you’re fortunate to get one or two‚ like we did.”