Wits release Mokoena, Baron

Johannesburg - Wits have announced the official release at the end of their respective contracts of former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena and the goalkeeping pair of Emile Baron and Ryan Harrison.

According to the supersport.com website, Mokoena’s axing is an inglorious end to a first season back in the Absa Premiership for the central defender, who holds the record for the most number of appearances in a national team shirt.

The 32-year-old started less than half of Wits’ games, finishing the season with just 14 appearances under his belt.

He played as a teenager at Jomo Cosmos before embarking on a decade-long career in Europe with stints in the Netherlands, Belgium and in England at Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth.

Baron broke his leg in April against Orlando Pirates having just returned to action after another lengthy lay off but will not have a new contract offer as Wits look for new goalkeeping options in the next weeks.

British-born Harrison, whose father is in charge at Chippa United, had surgery on his finger earlier this year and also missed the last three months of the season.

He was at the club on a one-season deal, having previously played at Santos in Cape Town.

Already out of the club in recent months are former Zimbabwe international Energy Murambadoro and striker Bradley Ritson.