AmaZulu have terminated the contract of midfielder Celimpilo Ngema with immediate effect.

Ngema allegedly had disciplinary issues, including one instance where he arrived at training under the influence of alcohol and was sent home.

He was subsequently called to a club disciplinary committee (DC), where he was found guilty, leading to the decision to release him.

“Ngema is now a free agent and can decide where he wants to go,” a source stated.

The 27-year-old joined Usuthu in July 2023 from Marumo Gallants after his contract with the now Bloemfontein-based side expired. Ngema had previously helped Gallants reach the semi-final of the CAF Confederation Cup, where they lost to Nasreddine Nabi’s Young Africans.

The KwaZulu-Natal-born midfielder departs Usuthu having played in 45 matches across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing four assists.

Fifteen of these appearances, including one goal, came this season. Ngema had been absent from Usuthu’s squad for their last six league matches. His most recent involvement was as an unused substitute in their victory over Cape Town City at King Zwelithini Stadium in February.

Another player who nearly faced a similar fate was Abbubaker Mobara. He reportedly had a falling out with coach Arthur Zwane, resulting in his suspension by the club. However, because this issue was related to a disagreement rather than off-field misconduct, he was reinstated into the team.

Mobara allegedly challenged coach Zwane in the changing room in a disrespectful manner. This was not the first time the former Cape Town Spurs player had such confrontations at the club. He had also challenged coaches such as Brandon Truter, Romain Folz, and Pablo Franco Martin.

AmaZulu nearly offloaded him during the off-season due to these incidents, but they did not because he was still under contract and no other club showed interest in acquiring him. Had there been interest, Usuthu would have transferred him.

There is a strong possibility that Mobara, the former Orlando Pirates midfielder, will be released at the end of the season. Mobara joined Usuthu in the second half of the 2021/22 season from Cape Town City. The 31-year-old has played 70 matches for Usuthu, scoring one goal and providing three assists.