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Mokoena close to Wits move

2012-07-01 02:06:08

Aaron Mokoena’s move to Bidvest Wits appears to be back on after a settlement dispute with cash-strapped Portsmouth was reportedly close to being resolved

Aaron Mokoena

Recently-appointed Wits CEO Jose Ferreira had previously revealed a deal for the former Bafana Bafana captain was being held up by the relegated Championship side.

He said: “The hitch is that Mokoena still has a year to go on his contract with Portsmouth, who have gone into liquidation.

“Portsmouth are quite happy to release Mokoena now, but they are bickering to pay him out the money he would be entitled to receive if he remained with the club for another season.”

The Clever Boys have often started their PSL campaign strongly before wilting at the tail end of campaigns with Ferreira insisting this is something the club are hoping to resolve.

They have already signed former Sundowns midfielder Matthew Pattison and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha and are hoping to add Mokoena to their ranks.

Ferreira added: “Wits have a tradition for producing outstanding young talent from one of the best, if not the best development programmes in the country,” said Ferreira.

“But, after starting recent seasons with a bang and forging to a challenging position in the league, the team has failed to sustain the momentum and undergone disturbing slumps towards the end of the PSL programme.”

Former Manchester City star Benjani Mwaruwari is, however, not a transfer target: “At this stage, we are not talking to Mwaruwari or his agent.”