City Confirms Nine Player Departures, Including Club Stalwarts

Cape Town City has confirmed the departure of nine players, including two long-serving stalwarts, Thami Mkhize and Thabo Nodada.

Nodada was the club’s longest-serving member, having been with Cape Town City since the start of the 2016/17 season. He joined when City’s owner, John Comitis, acquired the status of Mpumalanga Black Aces. Mkhize followed later that same season.

Both players were integral parts of the City squad that won the Carling Knockout Cup title against the now-defunct SuperSport United at Peter Mokaba Stadium, a remarkable achievement for a club that was only 144 days old at the time.

The departures of these players were necessitated by Cape Town City’s relegation from the PSL last term via the promotion and relegation playoffs, which resulted in the club losing its top-flight status. Orbit College earned promotion by winning the mini-league.

Mkhize, who confirmed his departure a few days ago, went on to secure another trophy, the MTN8, under coach Benni McCarthy in the 2018/19 season, as City defeated SuperSport United in the final held in Durban. Nodada scored the winning penalty in that match.

The 36-year-old Mkhize was appointed captain ahead of the 2018/19 season following Robyn Johannes’ departure to Bidvest Wits. The former Golden Arrows defender is City’s most capped player, with a total of 270 appearances across all competitions. He also contributed nine goals and 15 assists during his tenure with the club.

Nodada, who was previously linked with moves to Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, featured in 250 matches for City, scoring 18 goals and providing 17 assists. He also won two trophies with the club.

Other players who have left Cape Town City are Kamohelo Mokotjo, Darwin Gonzalez, Elson Sithole, Fortune Makaringe, Haashim Domingo, Darren Keet, and Lorenzo Gordinho. Gordinho is reportedly linked with a move to the newly promoted Durban City.