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Ladysmith - As part of their preparations for the upcoming Absa Premiership season, Maritzburg United will feature in the uThukela Mayoral Cup in Ladysmith this weekend.
The Team of Choice Public Relations Officer Brian Zuma confirmed to Sport24 in an exclusive interview on Wednesday that Steve Komphela and his charges will compete against their PSL counterparts Free State Stars, a uThukela Select team and another unnamed team from Swaziland on their two week tour to Ladysmith and the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Zuma also hinted that the two week camp will help Komphela and his technical team to assess players who are yet to pen a deal with the KwaZulu-Natal-based side and it will also be an opportunity to see newly signed right-back, John Pantsil, in action.
The Ghanaian-born player signed a two-year deal with Maritzburg two weeks ago after spending a season with National First Division side, Santos.
“The team is currently on a two-week camp in Ladysmith and Midlands,” Zuma said.
“As part of our season preparations, we will tour the KZN province.
“We will be participating in the uThukela Mayoral Cup.
“We will begin the tournament on July 20 against a uThukela select team.
“We will also play against Free State Stars and another team from Swaziland.
“The tournament will give us a chance to have a look at our new signing, John Pantsil.
“He has signed a two-year contract with us,” Zuma added.
Despite reports linking unsettled Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Abia Nale, with a possible move to the team, Zuma dismissed talks stating that the former Lamontville Golden Arrows man has been training with them.
“No, that’s not true,” Zuma revealed.
“We have our full squad here in training camp.
“But Abia Nale is not part of those players with us.
“Yes, we also heard about those rumours but we don’t know anything about that.”
Nale spent the 2013/14 campaign on loan to Mpumalanga Black Aces.
The KwaZulu-Natal born player is still yet to find a team as Aces have not made any official announcement regarding their intentions with the player.
