Cape Town Spurs’ recent relegation to the ABC Motsepe regional league is triggering a significant player exodus, with promising talent Siviwe Nkwali set to join Stellenbosch FC.

Sportswire confirms Nkwali will move to Stellies as a free agent ahead of next season, a direct consequence of Spurs’ Sunday condemnation to amateur football.

The historic Cape Town club suffered a 1-0 defeat to Motsepe Foundation Championship winners Durban City at Athlone Stadium, a match they desperately needed to win to retain their professional status.

However, Nkwali was not part of Ernst Middendorp’s squad for that crucial game. Instead, on the same day, he was instrumental in Amajita’s 1-0 triumph over Morocco in the U/20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The 19-year-old featured in all seven matches of the U/20 AFCON as Amajita made history, securing a sweet revenge for their loss to the same nation 28 years ago in 1997.

If all goes according to plan, Nkwali will become Stellenbosch’s third signing from Spurs, following the earlier acquisitions of Chumani Butsaka and Ashley Cupido last term.

Meanwhile, Nkwali isn’t the only player expected to depart Spurs at the end of the season. Highly-rated attacker Asanele Velebhayi is also likely to leave. Kaizer Chiefs had shown interest in him at the start of last season, but the Soweto giants were unable to secure his services as Spurs resisted the move.

To appease Velebhayi, who was unsettled by the transfer speculation, Spurs even handed him the captain’s armband.

Other players who may seek new clubs include Luke Baartman, Liam Bern, Azola Jakalashe, and Khaya Mfecane.

The future of coach Ernst Middendorp is also expected to be decided in the coming weeks. It is widely considered unlikely that the former Chiefs coach will remain in charge of the club at the amateur level.

Middendorp, who oversaw Spurs’ relegation from the top flight last season, had initially left the club at the end of the previous term but was persuaded by management to return and lead the side.

The hope was that he would guide the club back to the top flight, but unfortunately, this did not materialize.