PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The captain of the high-achieving Oriented Birds Football Club, Khanyisani "Mashesha" Radebe, has left the club to join the Richards Bay outfit, the Milford Football Club.
Milford FC are currently playing in the Motsepe Foundation National First Division, the second tier in South African soccer.
Professional ranks
The 29-year-old Radebe, a decorated player, will be playing in the professional ranks for the first time in his football career.
He told the Knysna-Plett Herald, before catching a flight to Durban, that after he had undergone trials at Milford in January, he received a call from the club's management, saying they wanted to sign him, and that he must make arrangements for this with the Birds' leadership.
"I feel happy about the move - getting this professional offer at this time after playing away from home (Durban) for four years," Radebe said.
Offer came as 'shock'
He said the offer had come as a "shock" to him, but "I'm very excited because they (Birds) handled it in a proper way and have allowed me to go and join Milford FC".
"I want to say a special thank you to the people of the Garden Route for allowing me to express my football dream - I'll never forget the support I've received from them, from when I came down to the Eden region."
Message to chairman
Radebe said he also wanted to pass on a message to the chairman of Oriented Birds, Zitho Tyontwana: "I am forever grateful to you for everything you have shown me and done for me. I will always be a son to you."
'Thanks for memories'
He added: "Last, but not least, I want to thank the entire Oriented Birds family for the time we've spent together, and for all the memories we've shared."
He sent the Birds team his best wishes, saying he felt sure they would achieve their goal of reaching the ABC Motsepe National playoffs.
Radebe played for George's Simunye Football Club before joining the Birds.
Banged in winning goal
On Saturday 15 February in the Bird's back yard, Plett's Kwanokuthula Stadium, he banged in the winning goal against the Central Karoo Region's Ubuntu Spartans, a fixture that the Birds won 1-0.
On Saturday 1 March, without Radebe, the Birds, in the Western Cape ABC Motsepe Provincial League, will lock horns with the struggling Infantry School team at the Military Base sportsground in Oudtshoorn.
The Birds are fighting for a playoff spot, while the Infantry team are at the bottom of the log.
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