BOLLOCKZ! Glyn Binkin on Bongani Khumalo's future, his fighting spirit, his talent - and Siya Sangweni's role in the AFCON failure

GLYN BINKIN has finally lifted the lid on Bongani Khumalo’s future in football – revealing he has no great pull to return to South Africa as “he has no family left here.”

Binkin also defended his player’s role at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year – pointing to centre-back partner Siya Sangweni’s role in the Bafana team that failed on penalties to reach the semi-finals on 

home soil earlier this year.

We spent two hours in the Ballz visual radio studio yesterday, discussing several of Binkin’s men – Morgan Gould and Mabhuti Khenyeza amongst them – but Khumalo’s situation is fascinating.

Binkin is understandably peeved about former Bafana captain Khumalo’s loan move to Championship side Ipswich falling through when Tottenham Hotspur changed their wage demands and insisted on being able to recall the Swaziland-born centre-back in January.

Binkin, who represents many of South Africa’s top footballers at home and abroad through “The Players' Club”, said: “Bongani’s been at Spurs for two and a half years now. He went on loan to Preston North End in 2011 on emergency loan and did really well until he broke a bone in his ankle.

“Then he went to Reading, started off okay, but after six or seven games, he lost his place and was unlucky. In January 2012 he went back to Spurs, even there he was training and playing in the reserves with Sandro, Cudicini, Kyle Walker.

“He was performing at a high level. Then he went on loan to PAOK in Greece. He only missed one game before AFCON where he captained South Africa.

“But while he was away, PAOK signed two permanent central defenders. He came back and found he had lost his place. But he’s always been a fighter, he upped his game.

“He was patient, he got back in the team and ended up playing 25 games in a League rated higher than Norway, Sweden and Denmark. They won the Champions League qualifying play-offs and was in unbelievable form.

“He came back to South Africa and went to train with Ipswich, played in a game on day three and did particularly well. Then he played another. He impressed. But when it came to talks with Spurs, the initial offer was declined. Spurs went back for more money, Ipswich agreed.

“But then Spurs insisted on a clause which said they could recall Bongani in January. Ipswich then had the opportunity to sign a centre-back permanently. The deal fell through.

“I don’t understand why Spurs did that. Now the first team are in Hong Kong, the development squad are in Portugal and Bongani is training on his own in London.

“Bongani’s always been a fighter. His life has been hard, people don’t realise that. His father – a linguistics professor at UNISA – is dead. His mother, a teacher, has also passed away. He is an only child. He has no family here.

“When Bongani was 15, he was scouted at a youth tournament in Ireland by Manchester United but his mother insisted he stay in South Africa and finish his schooling.

“He did that. Now he has this fight on his hands. There is no family reason to stay in South Africa. He could play here are earn good money with the big clubs in the PSL, but he wants to make it in Europe.

“I believe he has the ability and the fighting spirit to be the next Lucas Radebe, the next Mark Fish. A major defensive talent in Europe. There are a lot of similarities with Lucas. He struggled for a long time but he finally got the break at Leeds and now he’s a legend.

“Bongani is not going to give up. He will make sacrifices. He will forge a career in Europe.”

I asked Binkin if he thought Khumalo got a fair crack of the whip after he was lampooned for his “model C accent” while captaining South Africa during AFCON.

Binkin replied: “I don’t believe he had a bad tournament. He didn’t ask to be captain. It was an honour, he’d captained SuperSport to the title. Unfortunately he became a scapegoat.

“There were a lot of dynamics in that team that didn’t work in his favour. I have the ultimate respect for Siya Sangweni, he’s a fantastic player.

“But at the end of the day he’s a right-sided defender who scored twice in AFCON from the left wing! Did that suit the team? It was good that he scored, but it pulled the whole defence out of shape. Bongani got criticised for that. I don’t think that was fair.”

Glyn was a guest of BOLLOCKZ! my show on www.ballz.co.za, which happens every Thursday from 10am-noon. We also spoke to Wits coach Gordon Hunt, Mpumalanga boss Clive Barker and Tlou Segolela’s agent Tim Sukazi about the “political hazards” at Orlando Pirates. Those interviews will appear here later.

You can also follow me on www.twitter.com/nealcol for all the latest sports news… and read my “Neal & Pray” column every Tuesday in www.thenewage.co.za.

#BOLLOCKS is backed by www.topodds.com - have a look at their site for my latest sports betting advice!

The curious tale of Steven Pienaar's year at Spurs: why Moore isn't always merrier

THE Steven Pienaar story is a curious one, and close to my heart. When confirmation dropped that South Africa’s only current world-class player had gone on loan back to his old stomping ground at Goodison Park, I leapt in the air.

The deal to move “Schilla” from Spurs to Everton for the rest of the season was officially confirmed at 11.47pm South African time, nearly 10pm at the FA’s headquarters in London.

His excited twittering since backs up all that we felt about the lad from Westbury’s troubled time in North London, where he found himself in a Spurs squad with his path to glory blocked by a certain Gareth Bale.

And there he was, as the transfer window slowly shut, watching that Welsh wizard Bale thump home two more goals in a record-breaking season against Wigan. Where was South Africa’s international captain? Where he’s been all season – on the bench.

Apparently before kick-off, boss Harry Redknapp had insisted Pienaar had to be part of the squad, despite frantic negotiations with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright. He said he needed the 29-year-old in case of injury.

But what few people knew when the match kicked off was that Harry wanted Everton’s former Manchester United striker Louis Saha at White Hart Lane. And as a consequence, Kenwright had a little leverage in his bid to get Pienaar back to the club where he was the supporters’ player of the year in 2009.

When QPR’s new boss Mark Hughes made an approach a fortnight ago, Redknapp assured us: “I have no intention of selling Pienaar. Why should I? I wouldn't want to let him go. He is a good player. I don't need to weaken the squad. He could play a part in the run-in."

After a day in court defending himself over tax evasion charges and a welcome 3-0 triumph over Wigan, ‘Arry proved to be less determined as the midnight deadline loomed.

Thank God. A major mistake may just have been rectified. Expect a permanent deal at the end of the season - with little mention of the cut-price R30m Spurs paid for their man.

A year ago, when it became clear Pienaar was being set up for that cut-price move – he refused to sign a new contract despite repeated urging from David Moyes – I said on SuperSport that his agent David Moore was stupid to move him from Goodison, where he had made a name for himself.

I said it was like Paul Stretford demanding a move from Manchester United for Wayne Rooney, which he had done, but had rapidly rethought his strategy.

As an automatic pick at Everton, what was the point of going to Spurs, where Bale had just begun to emerge with that now-legendary Champions League hat-trick at the San Siro? Moore called me on the mobile from Barcelona, screaming at me, telling me I knew nothing.

He said he had nothing to do with Pienaar’s move, that Schilla himself was eager to go, because he wanted Champions League football and a club with more ambition.

When I quoted him, Mooreinsisted I send an apology to Kenwright. I did. I still have the email.

But ultimately, with Pienaar back at Everton after a late-night exchange between Redknapp and Kenwright on Wednesday night, I guess we all know now that Pienaar’s move to Spurs was all wrong.

I’ll say now what I said a year ago: sometimes a player just belongs. He doesn’t need to move in his late 20s. Moore can deny it all he want, but anyone who’s been in football long enough knows the agents are the ones behind the risky, big-money moves late in a career.

Without a move, where does the last big pay-day come from if, like Moore, your players are declining with the speed of Benni McCarthy, who was at West Ham at the time?

It looked okay at first. Pienaar cracked the starting line-up. But after a run of games, injury struck. The close season saw both Pienaar and compatriot Bongani Khumalo come over for the Vodacom Challenge with Spurs. But that was as good as it got. And if you examine www.twitter.com/therealstevenpiyou’ll find Pienaar's been “sick” and “in bed” three times since Christmas this year. He blames flu and tonsilitis as the stress of being unable to break in to Tottenham’s high-flying starting eleven began to tell.

A few brief cameos – including 10 minutes against Everton - are all he’s managed in the Premier League. And a couple of starts in Tottenham’s disastrous Europa League journey.

But the minute confirmation of his return to Everton emerged, his old pal Phil Neville was telling the BBC: “There’s nobody else I’d rather we signed.”
On the Everton FC facebook page, a simple message atop hundreds of happy messagers: "Welcome home Steven Pienaar."

These are Stevie’s tweets since: “Soon up the road to Liverpool. Familiar journey! Looking forward.

“And looking forward to running rings around @fizzer19 (Neville) in training again. “Very thankful that Spurs management allowed me to go on loan and I’m very happy it could be to Everton, a club close to my heart.

“Manager needs to make choices, I understand. But I love playing and just can’t sit so much on the bench. It was killing my spirit.

“Mixed emotions to leave Spurs. Disappointed I couldn’t get in a playing groove on a regular basis and show the fans the real me.

“Happy days. We just beat the clock on Transfer Deadline Day. Holding thumbs.”

Aren’t we all Stevie? South Africa needs you playing again. And the same could be said for compatriot Bongani Khumalo, back at Spurs after his disastrous loan spell at Championship club Reading.

Sometimes agents don’t know best.

Now what happened to QPR wanting Katlego “Killer” Mphela?

See also: http://www.neal-collins.blogspot.com/2011/11/when-moore-is-less-re-appointed-bafana.html

When Moore is less: Re-appointed Bafana captain Steven Pienaar on his "nightmare" at Tottenham

Steven Pienaar was last night included in Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana squad for the Nelson Mandela Challenge against Ivory Coast on November 23 – before making his first start of the season for an under-strength Tottenham in their Europa League clash at Russian outfit Rubin Kazan.

Mosimane’s announcement will provide South Africa’s captain with a brief distraction – and a welcome chance of actually getting on the field.

Pienaar, player of the season at Everton just two seasons ago, admits his move to Tottenham Hostpur has turned into a “nightmare” and that he feels he is “bottom of the pile” at a club blessed with an abundance of talented midfielders.

Last night he twittered: “It's always hard coming to a new club and getting injured but I'm determined to prove my worth to the spurs fans. Greetings from Kazan.”

Last January, as 29-year-old Pienaar let his Everton contract dwindle to a conclusion under the guidance of agent Rob “You’d better apologise” Moore, Chelsea nearly swept in to claim the Johannesburg-born midfielder in a cut-price move.

Spurs prevailed and Moore’s most important asset went to White Hart Lane for just £2m (R24m). When I queried the agent’s eagerness to move his client from Goodison Park to White Hart Lane’s over-populated midfield, Moore told me: “It’s Steven’s decision, he wants to play Champions League football. Everton aren’t ambitious enough.”

When I quoted him on that, Moore demanded I send an apology to Everton surpemo Bill Kenwright. I did. And that’s the last I heard from Mr Moore.

Spurs failed to qualify for the Champions League last season – with Manchester City spending like Julius Malema in Mauritius that was always on the cards - and Pienaar’s career has slumped as I predicted when he decided to take a pay rise rather than stay loyal to Everton and their adoring fans.

It isn’t all Moore’s fault. An ironic clash of heads with fellow South African Bongani Khumalo was the first major blow as the two Bafana Bafana internationals trained together at Chigwell. Both joined the club in January and Khumalo, represented by Moore’s partner Glyn “No Reply” Binkin, has yet to play for the Spurs first team – the former Supersports United captain has since gone out on loan to Championship also-rans Reading and, like Pienaar, is struggling to get a game.

Pienaar, one of the first names on Everton boss David Moyes’ team-sheets for three seasons, has played just 12 games for Harry Redknapp since January, with his Bongani-bonking concussion in February followed by a groin injury in April.

When the new season began, Pienaar and Khumalo came out to South Africa with Spurs for the Vodacom Challenge full of promise – but Pienaar’s groin flared up in their final pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao. The specialist recommended surgery which ruled the lad from Westbury out until mid-September.

All that is history. But exactly what has happened to Pienaar since then? He didn’t feature in South Africa’s embarrassing CAF exit at the hands of Sierra Leone last month and with West Ham’s Scott Parker added to Redknapp’s midfield and Gareth Bale excelling on Pienaar’s favoured left-hand side, he has yet to play in the first team.

Pienaar, who finally got a start in last night’s low-key clash in Russia, admits: “It's been the most difficult period of my career. When you join a new team, you want to start fully fit but I got injured quite early and it slowed down my progress.

“Before the operation we thought we would wait and see how the groin injury developed but it just got worse. I had the operation, things were going well, but then I had two setbacks. Sometimes when you try to get back early, that happens.

“But I'm over the nightmare now so hopefully I can get back in the side.”

Redknapp was unable to impress Redknapp first hand last night – the 64-year-old was in hostpital recovering from “minor heart surgery” and assistant Kevin Bond was left in charge. But Pienaar remains determined to resurrect his career: “When you get injured, you fall down the pecking order. You are basically the bottom of the pile. I have been working to win a place in the team.

“You have to make sure you get fit, be patient and train hard.“

Whether Bafana Bafana fans will actually see Pienaar in action against the mighty Ivorians next Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth – and in a friendly against Zimbabwe away three days later – remains to be seen. Given his current plight, he may just fly out because he needs a game.

But don’t hold your breath. Despite the FIFA rules, a recuperating Redknapp will decide to captains Bafana, not Pitso Mosimane.

Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Moeneeb Josephs, Wayne Sandilands.

Defenders: Tsepo Masilela, Punch Masenamela, Musa Bilankulu, Morgan Gould, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Happy Jele, Anele Ngcongca, Bevan Fransman, Siboniso Gaxa.

Midfielders: Daylon Claasen, Hlompho Kekana, Oupa Manyisa, Thanduyise Khuboni, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Granwald Scott, George Maluleka, George Lebese, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Teko Modise, Steven Pienaar.

Strikers: Kermit Erasmus, Siyabonga Nontshinga, Brad Grobler, Katlego Mphela.

Dynamic Pattison could be headed for Moscow as Khumalo hopes for Reading return

Sundowns midfielder Matthew Pattison could be going to Russia with love - after a trial with Dynamo Moscow.
Pattison, widely considered to be unlucky not to feature in Bafana Bafana's World Cup squad when South Africa hosted the World Cup last season, has been absent from Johan Neeskens' Mamelodi millionaires for a week after going on trial to the Russian capital.
While Dutch master Neeskens is being pilloried for his decision to drop goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands for the 3-0 defeat against Moroka Swallows on Saturday, a gloriously oblivious Pattison, 24, revealed: "I went to Moscow for three days and I only got back on Friday. I was on trial at Dynamo."
After seeing Sundowns team-mate Katlego "Killer" Mphela rejected after a similar visit to Glasgow giants Celtic two months ago, Pattison is understandly coy about his chances of a long-term contract with Dynamo.
Often over-looked by new boss Neeksens this season Pattison added: "Maybe I might go back to Moscow again, who knows? I'm not too sure so I will have to wait and see.
"I have to keep my options open, because I'm a free agent at the end of the season. My agent is speaking to Dynamo.
"You have to take care of your own interests and if it is not working out, then you got to move on."
But Pattison is only too aware of the pitfalls of a move overseas to further his career. Bafana Bafana central defender Bongani Khumalo was all set for a glittering career with Tottenham Hostpur when he moved from then-champions Supersports United for R15m in January.
Tman who scored his first international goal in the historic World Cup win over France in 2010 finds himself on loan at Championship club Reading - and unable to hold down a first team place at the Madejski Stadium.
Khumalo, also 24, started first four matches of Reading's crusade to regain Premier League status but injury and the vagaries of coach Brian McDermott's selection process has left him out in the cold at Reading... and Bafana.
Khumalo hasn't played since his Carling Cup defeat against Charlton Athletic at the end of August but insists: "I feel good and strong and ready to play so I just have to wait for my chance."
He told kick-0ff.com: "We're doing quite well right now, so it is unlikely things will change right now – all I can do is keep working and make sure I'm ready.
"I think I've finally settled in now but it has been a tough year for me. I'm getting used to the pace of the game and feeling more confident now."
Reading's lack of enthusiasm saw Khumalo - once considered a certainty as former Supersports United team-mate Morgan Gould's defensive partner - replaced by Siyabonga Sangweni in Pitso Mosimane's Bafana line-upBut after missing the embarrasing 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone - and the misguided post-match dance when Bafana's players though they had qualified for the 2012 CAF Nations Cup - Khumalo confesses: "It's one of the things but the rule is there so we just have to move on now."
Meanwhile Davide Somma, the Bafana striker who suffered a ligament injury at Leeds United last July, may be available at a reasonable fee to one of South Africa's major clubs.
Somma, born in Edenvale near Johannesburg, forged his goal-getting reputation in the United States before moving to Italy where he made inroads as a professional striker. But after impressing with Leeds last season - and making his hastily arranged South Africa debut against the USA - he may now be considered a saleable asset at Elland Road.
With Orlando Pirates suffering numerous injury problems to their big-name striker Benni McCarthy and Kaizer Chiefs struggling for form, a move for Somma is seen as "probable" in the current climate.

Bongani Khumalo ready to hunt down London's nasty Lions

Bongani Khumalo is all fired up for his League debut for Reading on Saturday – against Millwall at the Madejski Stadium.

Bafana Bafana defender Bongani Khumalo – sent out on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur after the Vodacom Challenge barely a week ago – played his first game in the blue-and-white hoops of the Royals in a 2-1 pre-season friendly win at neighbours Swindon Town on Saturday and immediately turned his attention to the opening Championship showdown.

It was against Millwall – the “Lions” who have a reputation as the nastiest team in the EastEnd of London – that Khumalo injured his metatarsal while loan at doomed Preston North End last season.

The Swaziland-born, Pretoria-raised 24-year-old says: "Millwall? It's a sweet start – Preston v Millwall was my last game in the Championship after my foot injury, so I'm looking forward to it. I'll be really fired up for the Lions!”

Though South African observers expressed doubt over their world-class defender going on loan to another second-tier club in England, Khumalo insists he has made the right decision.

Khumalo has played at the Madejski Stadium, just off the M4 40 miles west of London, before – when Preston were crushed 2-1 by play-off bound Reading last season.

He recalls: "It was a tough game, I remember thinking the football here is very good - the players were quick, strong and very direct - as a defender it was a busy night!

"I just got a great feeling from the club after coming here with Preston and it just felt right. I spoke with the manager Brian McDermott and I was very impressed with his plans for the season, so after that there was really only one option."

Though he was also linked to Scottish champions Rangers, Khumalo says of Reading, who reached the play-off final before losing to Swindon Town last season: "It's amazing and an unbelievable setup here. Everyone's very friendly and I'm looking forward to getting the season off to a good start. I’ve always wanted to play in England, it’s great, a wonderful opportunity.

"I just want to be the best possible player I can be for this club. I want to grow as a person as well as a footballer. It's been magic so far (since his £1.5m move from then-South African champions Supersports United in January) and I have learnt a lot."

Bongani Khumalo on his Reading debut, life and South Africa's chances in the Africa Cup of Nations

Bongani Khumalo will make his debut for Reading at in a glamour-free pre-season friendly at neighbours Swindon Town tomorrow (Saturday), just a week after appearing for Tottenham Hotspur in their 3-0 Vodacom Challenge win over South African champions Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park.

The 24-year-old Bafana Bafana centreback is on loan at the Championship club and he insists: “Right now I am a Reading player and the only thing I am thinking of is playing well for Reading.”

Khumalo, born in Swaziland and raised in Pretoria, joined Spurs in January for £1.5m after winning three successive South African Premier League titles with SuperSports United.

He has yet to play for Harry Redknapp’s first team apart from his appearances this month in South Africa and was linked to Scottish champions Rangers last month, with the prospect of Champions League football.

But Khumalo, who played six games on loan for relegated Championship club Preston North End last season, yesterday revealed it was Redknapp who persuaded him to stay in England. He told the Reading Post: “Harry talked about how Reading would be a great club to go to. He said I needed more experience.

“I remember seeing Reading when they were in the Premier League and seeing the stadium on TV in South Africa.

“I guess there will be a bit of interest in Reading back home in South Africa now as well.

“My family have been looking into the club and the history at Reading and they are getting themselves up to date with everything.

“Other clubs were mentioned, but as soon as I spoke to Reading there was only one place where I wanted to go. The manager Brian McDermott told me how hungry he was for success. That was a big selling point for me."

Khumalo played against Reading for Preston in a 2-1 defeat at Madejski Stadium last season. Reading went on to reach the play-off final and only missed out on a return to the Premier League after losing 4-2 to Swansea at Wembley.

Khumalo said: “I was impressed with the style of football Reading played and how they passed the ball around.

“The team seemed to have a very positive approach and that’s why they managed to get to the play-offs.

“I only met the rest of the guys yesterday for the first time on the way to Bristol Rovers and they were all very nice. At this moment I’m not even thinking about a permanent deal at Reading. It’s very early days.”

Khumalo, under the terms of his loan agreement, could be recalled by Spurs in January. With the veteran William Gallas and injury-prone Ledley King among their centre-backs, he may be needed to supplement a defence which also includes Younes Kaboul and England regular Michael Dawson.

But with South Africa currently topping their qualification group, Khumalo’s season is likely to be interrupted by the Africa Cup of Nations which will he held from January 21 to February 12 in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Khumalo added: “South Africa haven’t done too well in the Africa Cup of Nations for some time, so it would be fantastic to win it.

“Off the back of the World Cup I think we have improved and playing for South Africa feels like playing for a club nowadays.

“We have a lot of promising young players coming through and being part of that is something that I take great pride in.”

Tottenham's loan ranger Khumalo will be Reading between the lines

Bongani Khumalo’s topsy-turvy football career as Tottenham’s “loan ranger” has become a case of Reading between the lines. Careful, that’s Reading, not reading.

It was the Royals coach Brian McDermott, questioned by the local Reading Post newspaper, who gave us a nudge and a wink towards the former SuperSports United captain’s future destination this weekend.

While Khumalo was helping Tottenham Hotspur win the Vodacom Challenge Final with an emphatic 3-0 over Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, his future Championship team-mates were winning by an identical score-line at Northampton Town’s less impressive Sixfields.

After the game former Arsenal midfielder McDermott, the 50-year-old Reading boss renowned for unearthing young talent at the Madejski Stadium, was asked about South Africa’s 24-year-old centre-back Khumalo and grinned: “He’s a player I know well.”

Thousands of miles south in Johannesburg, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp confirmed Khumalo would be headed 40 miles west to Reading, despite offering the Bafana Bafana defender to Scottish champions Rangers on loan three weeks ago.

Redknapp, who hates being described as a wheeler-dealer, said: “Look, Bongani lacks experience, this is only his first year in England. I have experienced central defenders like Ledley King, William Gallas, Michael Dawson, Younes Kaboul and Sebastien Bassong.

“So it looks like this loan move to Reading will happen. We have the option of a recall in January, but it will be a good move for him. He’s a good lad.

“It will be difficult for him to get into the team here. He will be much better off going out on loan to gain experience and adapt to the lifestyle in England.

“I’m sure in a year he will come back a better player. Then it will be up to him to prove whether he is good enough to start for Spurs.”

Khumalo was subjected to a similar set of quotes last season, when he was farmed out to doomed Championship club Preston North End after failing to break in to the first team after his £1.5m move from Pretoria in January. He managed six games before suffering a metatarsal injury. Preston were relegated but their former Hull City boss Phil Brown did laud some of his performances as “outstanding”.

The word from Reading is there are a few loose ends to be tied up. They will have to pay Khumalo's salary, as is the tradition with loan moves. Khumalo’s agent Glyn Binkin appeared keen on the move to Glasgow and possible Champions League football under new Rangers boss Ally McCoist. But the switch to Reading will mean significantly less unheaval – and a gentler path to regular English football for Khumalo, often hailed as “the new Lucas Radebe”.

Unless there is a last-minute hitch, Khumalo will return to train not with Spurs but Reading this week but he had this parting message for his homeland: “I get a lot of love from the people of this wonderful country and I’m grateful for that.”

Pienaar reveals his dark Vodacom Challenge secret in black and white: I was a boyhood Buccaneer!

Steven Pienaar chose to reveal a dark secret in black and white on his own website yesterday. He admitted on www.stevenpienaar.com just before travelling to South Africa for the eagerly-awaited Vodacom Challenge: “I supported Orlando Pirates as a kid.”

Pienaar will join his Tottenham Hotspur team-mates against South African champions Pirates and their arch-rivals from Soweto, Kaiser Chiefs in a triangular showdown culminating in the final on July 23.

Current Bafana Bafana captain Pienaar, who was raised in Westburg near Johannesburg, admits he went on to support Ajax Cape Town, his first professional club.

But the 58-times capped South African, who moved to Spurs from Everton last January, explains: "Orlando Pirates are one of the oldest teams in South Africa and from where I’m from, 90 per cent of the people support them

"I’m one of those fans - I supported Pirates as a kid before I moved to Ajax Cape Town, then I supported Ajax Cape Town."

Pienaar joined Ajax Cape Town in 1999 before moving to Dutch parent club Ajax Amsterdam in 2002, his springboard to Everton and the English Premier League.

Pienaar recalls his links with various Buccaneers on his website, adding: “Yes, I played with Sibusiso Zuma in the national team, he played for Pirates and Mark Fish, everyone knows him, a famous player from South Africa who played in the Premier League for Charlton and Bolton.

"I also played with OJ Mabizela, who joined Spurs. A lot of players have come through Pirates and made it to the national team. They are a top team in South Africa."

Pienaar – who may be joined by Bafana Bafana colleague Bongani Khumalo on the tour, unless his impending loan spell at Rangers forces him north – will kick-off the Vodacom challenge against the Amakhosi in Polokwane on Saturday before making the trip to Nelspruit to face treble-winners “Bucsalona” next Tuesday.

Spurs will play the victors of the Chiefs v Pirates derby in Port Elizabeth on July 21 in the final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, on Saturday, July 23.

Spurs' Bongani Khumalo Gets Champions League Football: With Rangers!

Bongani Khumalo is set to play Champions League football next season – for Scottish champions Rangers.

The BBC accounced today that South African central defender Khumalo, 24, signed from SuperSports United by Spurs for £1.5m last January, could go to Ibrox on loan.

Khumalo played six games on loan for relegated Championship club Preston North End before injuring a metatarsal last season – and has yet to play a game for Spurs, despite three appearances on the bench before he was shipped off to Preston.

As Spurs started pre-season training yesterday before the Vodacom Challenge trip to South Africa next week, Khumalo and 21-year-old midfielder Jake Livermore both found themselves being offered to Rangers after talks between boss Harry Redknapp and Rangers owner Craig Whyte.

Rangers’ veteran manager Walter Smith retired after his side’s title triumph over arch-rivals Celtic last season and has been replaced by charismatic former Ibrox striker Ally McCoist.

But a week after the World Cup ended last season, six months before Khumalo’s move to Spurs, Smith was quoted as saying he was keen on bringing both Khumalo and Bafana Bafana striker Katlego “Killer” Mphela to Glasgow.

Spurs boss Reknapp, whose side narrowly failed to qualify for the Champions League last season, said yesterday: "I met with Craig Whyte, the Rangers chairman. They are looking for some loans and I mentioned a couple if they were interested.

"We have Jake Livermore and Bongani Khumalo, he scored against France at the World Cup. He needs to get some experience but he’ll do well I’m sure."

Despite the Rangers talks, Khumalo and compatriot Steven Pienaar are expected to fly to South Africa with the Spurs squad for the Vodacom challenge clashes against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, kicking off on July 16.

Vodacom Challenge fixtures

aturday, Jul 16 2011

15:00 - Kaizer Chiefs vs Tottenham Hotspurs Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Tuesday, Jul 19 2011

20:15 - Orlando Pirates vs Tottenham Hotspurs Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela

Thursday, Jul 21 2011

20:15 - Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Saturday, Jul 23 2011

15:00 - Tottenham Hotspurs vs Derby Winner Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Tottenham's Bongani Khumalo does a Beckham and heads for Preston as the loan ranger

BONGANI KHUMALO is due to make his English League debut for rock-bottom Championship club Preston North End against Swansea at Deepdale on Saturday after finally accepting a Beckhamesque loan deal on his road to stardom.

Khumalo, who moved from South African champions SuperSports United to Tottenham Hotspur for £1.5m in the January transfer window, has yet to make an appearance for Harry Redknapp’s side. Like David Beckham in his early days at Manchester United in 1994, Khumalo has gone to Preston, England’s first ever League champions, to earn his Spurs.

Beckham, then 19, played five games for Preston in 1995, scoring twice and establishing himself as a future star. Preston boss Phil Brown revealed he sent an email to Redknapp a month ago suggesting the move, which Brown describes as a "massive favour".

Brown added on the club’s website: "I am absolutely delighted. Hopefully Khumalo will be a massive success here.”

Ironically both Preston and Spurs share the nickname Lilywhites, though their fortunes have differed mightily in recent years. After a strong performance in Bafana Bafana’s historic 1-0 win over Egypt on Saturday night, Khumalo’s “loan ranger” deal – which last until the end of the season - was announced before Spurs confirmed rival centre-half William Gallas had signed a two-year contract extension at White Hart Lane.

The Gallas decision – he will now stay at the club until 2013 - means the veteran former Arsenal and Chelsea Frenchman is one of SIX centre-backs ahead of Khumalo in the pecking order as Tottenham continue their Champions League quest. Former England defender Jonathan Woodgate is currently injured (again), but Redknapp can also call upon compatriots Sebastien Bassong, Younes Kaboul, England centre-back Michael Dawson and the experienced Ledley King, who is approaching full fitness after months of struggling with his incurable knee problems.

Khumalo was always expected to go out on loan to a smaller club, but early appearances on the bench for the first team during a defensive injury mini-crisis meant the decision to farm him out to Brown’s Preston was delayed until the loan window closed last Thursday.

Steve Caulker, the 19-year-old Spurs central defender competing with Khumalo for a future at Spurs, has been loaned out twice in recent years, playing 44 games for Yeovil in 2008/09 and 29 for Bristol City this season.

Khumalo performed admirably in South Africa’s last-gasp 1-0 win over African champions Egypt at Ellis Park last Saturday next to his old SuperSports partner Morgan Gould, who was voted Man of the Match.

The move came outside the January transfer window because clubs below the English Premier League are allowed to take players on loan from 8 February until 24 March. Fellow Bafana Bafana international Kagisho Dikgacoi's loan move from Fulham to Crystal Palace also went through during the loan window, though Khumalo’s was completed just before the 5pm deadline last Thursday.

Preston’s Deepdale ground in Lancashire is one of the historic bastions of English football - the club were one of the founder members of the Football League back in 1888. They became the first winners of the League and FA Cup double that season when they were unbeaten and didn’t concede a single goal in either competition. They also won the League the next year, in 1890. Their last major trophy was the FA Cup in 1938. They haven’t been in the top flight of English football since 1961, though they did reach the Championship play-offs in 2009.

Khumalo, the Swaziland-born 24-year-old from Pretoria, is expected to make his debut against third-placed Swansea on Saturday. Preston, a city of around 115,000, was a post-industrial revolution boom town but is a long way from the Jacaranda City or Tottenham, where he enjoyed the company of compatriot Steven Pienaar.

Though they are currently bottom of the Championship, Preston have enjoyed a bit of a revival of late, beating fellow strugglers Scunthorpe 3-0 away and Coventry 2-1 at home in their last game on March 19 in front of 12,269 at Deepdale, their home since 1875 with a capacity of around 22,000. They are now just three points adrift of Scunthorpe at the foot of the Championship.

Who the hell is Neal Collins (nealcol on Twitter)? See www.nealcollins.co.uk.

Transfer Special: Chelsea Swoop As Tottenham's Harry Redknapp Admits: Steven Pienaar Is Looking Blue

Steve Pienaar will sign for Chelsea today after Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admitted he can’t match the Blues’ £3m bid for the unsettled Everton midfielder.

Redknapp’s side drew 0-0 with Manchester United yesterday but he took time out to explain that his efforts to team-up Pienaar with Bafana Bafana team-mate Bongani Khumalo at White Hart Lane have failed.

Reknapp said: “We were interested in him but I see Chelsea have offered £3 million. That would make it difficult for us to compete with that money for him.

“He’s a player we like but he belongs to Everton at the moment but I think they would sell him perhaps if we agreed a fee.”

Pienaar has just six months left on his current contract and could have moved for free in June. He missed Everton’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Merseyside derby yesterday.

Redknapp added: “I don’t know what will happen there. The chairman deals with it, I haven’t been involved in it at all.

“He’s a player we like but he belongs to Everton at the moment but I think they would sell him perhaps if we agreed a fee.

“They agreed a fee with Chelsea apparently for £3 million then that’s probably a bit more than we want to go to.”

Explaining Pienaar’s absence yesterday, Everton boss David Moyes said: "We've given his representatives a chance to talk to Chelsea but they've not got permission to talk to Tottenham because they've not offered the same money.

"Steven came to see me yesterday and said he didn't feel he was in the right place to play...I felt it would be better not to use him if that was the case.

"He will be in training tomorrow because at the moment we don't have a deal. If Tottenham offer the same money, that may change or maybe he will agree terms with Chelsea."

Everton's Steven Pienaar Agrees Terms With Spurs As Chelsea Lurk... there's going to be a pair of Bafanas at White Hart Lane

The South African dream team is falling in to place at Tottenham Hotspur following the news that Steven Pienaar has “agreed in principle” to move to White Hart Lane from Everton.

With Inter Milan and Atletic Madrid also seeking the 28-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, Spurs are believed to have made a £70,000-a-week deal with “Schillo”, who didn’t appear for Everton in their 5-1 FA Cup third round romp at Notts County on Saturday.

His unexplained absence suggests the move to north London will be made during the January transfer window, with a bargain-basement fee of around £1.5m being offered, rather than waiting until the summer when Pienaar could move for free.

That would see experienced European campaigner Pienaar teaming up later this month with rookie Bongani Khumalo, 24, who completed his move to Spurs last week and commenced training on Friday.

The former Supersports United captain kicked his first ball in anger for his new club on Monday at Spurs Lodge in Chigwell. He played in a 4-2 friendly win over Crystal Palace 4-2 with fringe players Cameron Lancaster and Ryan Mason both scoring twice for the Spurs XI.

Yesterday’s Guardian in London suggested Everton boss David Moyes is keen to keep Pienaar for the rest of the season, but he could do with a January transfer move as he attempts to build funds to sign his number one priority... a goal-getter.

Pienaar was offered £60,000-a-week to stay at Everton but according to his agent Rob Moore, money is not the priority as the 28-year-old seeks a move to a “genuine Champions League club”. Moore texted me yesterday that reports of a “done deal” at Spurs may be “premature”.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his admiration for Pienaar and is known to be keen to team up his pair of Bafanas with memories of Mabilelo OJ Mabizela’s awkward White Hart Lane career five years ago clearly in mind.

The arrival of Pienaar could also pave the way for Spurs to cash in on man-of-the-moment Gareth Bale, who fills the same wide role as Pienaar. Italian giants Juventus have expressed an interest in Bale after his hat-trick against European champions Inter Milan at the San Siro earlier this season.

The Daily Mail contradicted the Guardian yesterday, suggesting Redknapp’s interest in Everton captain Phil Neville had annoyed officials at Goodison and that Chelsea are now favourites to pick up Pienaar on the cheap.

Everton boss David Moyes is quoted as saying: "I spoke with Harry Redknapp briefly before the transfer window opened. Daniel Levy (Spurs chairman) and Bill Kenwright (Everton owner) had an even briefer conversation at our recent game against Spurs and mutually agreed that this would go no further. At no time was any offer made – nor would one have been welcomed. Phil Neville is our captain and is an important part of the Everton set-up."

The Mail also suggests David Beckham, currently training at Spurs, could yet be allowed to play for the club, reducing the need for Pienaar. But in this morning’s Mail, Simon Jones reckons Spurs will pay £2m for the South African to ward off Chelsea’s interest.

Who the hell is Neal Collins (nealcol on Twitter)? Google the name or see www.nealcollins.co.uk.

Beckham gets okay to be the Loan Ranger... With a Possible Debut For Spurs Against Manchester United

David Beckham was finally given the green light to return to England’s Premier League last night – and he could make his debut against former club Manchester United at Spurs on January 19.

LA Galaxy took their time over granting permission for their best-paid player to spend two months on loan with Harry Redknapp’s side, worried lest he repeat the Achilles injury he sustain when playing for Milan last season.

But they have risked the ire of their considerable support by allowing him to play for the North London club Beckham, now 35, supported as a boy growing up in Leytonstone. His grandfather was also a mad Lilywhites fan.

Galaxy are believed to have agreed the move because both clubs are linked to AEG, the entertainment company which is helping Spurs in their bid to take over the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after London 2012.

England’s most capped outfield player is expected agree the loan deal tomorrow and will be presented to the White Hart Lane faithful on Sunday before the FA Cup third round clash against Charlton Athletic.

Redknapp’s master plan of buying Beckham and grooming a successor is likely to fail, given news that Beckham will be entitled to buy an MLS franchise “at 2007 prices” if he fulfils his contract with Galaxy, which ends in November. He is believed to be planning to buy New York Cosmos for £16m.

The first clue to his future came yesterday morning with the news that his three sons, Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and Cruz, 5, had been enrolled at an expensive private school near his London home north of London.

Spurs will pay a loan fee of around £500,000 to LA Galaxy and offer a weekly wage of around £120,000 to Beckham, though there may be hard bargaining during today’s meeting with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. Depending on his fitness – and that of rival right-sided midfielder Aaron Lennon – he could play a maximum of ten games for Spurs, including the two Champions League clashes against AC Milan, where he spent his last two winters.

Beckham, linked to Spurs since a lunch at Harrods with Harry’s son Jamie two weeks ago, hopes playing for Spurs will enhance his chances of adding to his 115 England caps.

Boss Redknapp feels the positives of signing Beckham – which will include significant shirt sales – amount to more than the negatives of having the megastar on board for two months before the MLS kicks off on March 15.

Redknapp, also linked with a £30m bid for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll yesterday, said: "It will be great to have David around. He'll be a great role model for the young players.”

One of those youngsters is Bongani Khumalo, the 23-year-old South African who arrived in London this morning to begin his Tottenham career after a £1.5m move from SuperSports United.

Khumalo could also find himself training with Bafana Bafana team-mate Steven Pienaar before the January transfer window closes. Boss Redknapp repeated his interest in the unsettled Everton ace yesterday, telling Sky News: "If Pienaar doesn't sign a contract he'll be a great free transfer for someone at the end of the year, if he doesn't stay at Everton.

"He still belongs to Everton, so it's a difficult one. They are still trying to keep him. We'll wait and see what happens."

Khumalo, the 23-year-old Supersports United captain finally sorted out the delays caused by England’s bitter winter to catch his Heathrow flight last night - and he remains a possibility to play against Charlton.

But with William Gallas fit again to slot in next to Michael Dawson, Khumalo may find himself dropping down the central defensive pecking order. Younes Kaboul is serving a Premier League ban after his red card against Newcastle and Sebastien Bassong is returning to fitness while Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate remain on the long-term casualty list.

After a farewell party with his Matsatsantsa team-mates at Zwartkop near Pretoria, Khumalo’s manager Glyn Binkin confirmed: "Bongani has flown out to Heathrow. Everything is sorted out, he’s got his visa.”

Khumalo’s deputy at Supersports, Thabo September said: " We really enjoyed our football with Bongani as our captain We spent three fruitful seasons together. The team-work was amazing, he showed great leadership - and he will continue working hard in Europe.”

Who on earth is this Neal Collins bloke (nealcol on twitter)? Google me or see www.nealcollins.co.ukand buy the book!

Spurs make their point and get their man. Chelsea? They're all at sea

Bongani Khumalo’s Premier League debut moved a huge step closer as his new club Tottenham fought out a fascinating 1-1 draw with Chelsea at White Hart Lane last night.

SuperSports United captain and Bafana Bafana lynchpin Khumalo, 23, was granted a work permit to complete his £1m move to White Hart Lane yesterday with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp confirming: “It’s good news. We’ve got the paperwork through for Khumalo.”

And how Harry needs a fit young centreback as his side head into the second half of a dramatic title race – and the knock-out phase of the Champions League.

Yesterday’s clash with faltering Chelsea was a riveting affair. Spurs went ahead through Russian Roman Pavlyuchenko’s well taken goal but Chelsea brought on Ivory Coast talisman Didier Drogba at half-time – and the big man promptly blasted the equaliser through the hands of Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomez.

But there was late drama when Gomez gave away a late penalty – but saved Drogba’s spot kick with a glorious leap to his left. Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s regular penalty taker, had come on as a substitute after three months of injury, but was not offered the chance to take the spot kick.

That point gives Redknapp hope of grabbing a Champions League place by finishing in the top four but he is rapidly running out of centrebacks.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender William Gallas pulled a hamstring in training on Friday and England international Michael Dawson was forced to take his place – and the captain’s armband – after his own three-month battle with an ankle injury picked upon England duty.

Dawson lined up next to Frenchman Sebastien Bassong as Tottenham are also missing Younes Kaboul and long-term injury problems Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate.

All of which gives Khumalo a great chance to break into the Spurs squad when he becomes eligible on January 1. Lucas Radebe, like Aaron Mokoena a South African who made a career for himself at centreback in England, says: “Khumalo will be a great ambassador for South Africa. I wish him well at Spurs.”

Chelsea captain John Terry said: “I thought we fully deserved to win the game, we dominated them second half. They made it difficult at times but that was more like the Chelsea we know.

“Didier was brave enough to stand up and take the penalty. The passion has been lacking in recent weeks but we’re back now. Now we’ve got two huge games, Manchester United at the Bridge and Arsenal at the Emirates.

“We just have to hope tomorrow’s game is a draw.”

And by that of course, Terry is referring to tonight’s showdown between leaders Arsenal and Manchester United at Old Trafford. Terry said: “United and Arsenal are both playing well at the moment but we can be right up there with them.”

But Drogba’s missed penalty denied the current double-winners victory yet again, and means they have taken just six points from their last 21. Their seven-point lead has rapidly turned into a deficit since the surprise sacking of Carlo Ancelotti’s No2 Ray Wilkins six weeks ago.

Who the hell is Neal Collins (nealcol on Twitter)? See www.nealcollins.co.uk. And for African readers, I'll be on SuperSport HD at 8.30pm tonight discussing Arsenal at Manchester United with Terry Paine and Shaun Bartlett. Promise to be controversial. You want any points raised, just say below.

It's official: Bongani Khumalo signs for Spurs, and it could be crucial for Harry's hopes

South Africa’s hottest prospect Bongani Khumalo has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Tottenham for £1.5million (R18 million) in the January transfer window.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admits: "Bongani is not expensive. We had him over on trial and we like him. He's got potential and we've got a tie-up with his club SuperSports United so we've taken him on.

The move, predicted here two months ago, opens up the prospect of Khumalo being joined by fellow Bafana Bafana international Steve Pienaar at Spurs. Redknapp has expressed an interest in the Everton midfielder, who is out of contract in the summer.

Redknapp said: "It will be a great chance for Bongani. He's a great lad. He comes from a poor background and he's desperate for a chance and we're going to give him a chance."

We’ll discuss the “poor background” bit later, but Tottenham's official statement yesterday read: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached a pre-contract agreement with SuperSport United for the transfer of Bongani Khumalo to the club in January 2011 subject to a work permit being granted.

"The club has enjoyed a successful association with Supersport United having formed a long-term partnership with the South African champions back in 2007."

With Ledley King’s knees ever-troublesome, Michael Dawson still recovering from injury and Jonathan Woodgate unavailable for months, towering defender Khumalo – whose Christian name means “happiness” - could yet be the key to Tottenham staying in the Premier League’s top four this season.

Redknapp’s creaking centre-back pairing of William Gallas and Sebastien Bassong were anything but watertight as they leaked four early goals against Inter Milan last Tuesday.

The 23-year-old, 6ft 2in Khumalo, who scored in South Africa’s World Cup win over France in June, barely put a foot wrong during the tournament and enjoyed a successful two-week trial at White Hart Lane in August.

Khumalo, born in Swaziland but a regular in the South Africa side with 19 caps, should have no trouble gaining a work permit before the big move which should happen pretty darn quick after the New Year dawns. Spurs fans will be hoping they are still in contention for the title at that point – and have survived the Champions League cut after that epic 4-3 defeat against holders Inter in Group A.

Redknapp would have signed Khumalo during the summer but he gambled on the old war-horse Gallas (a 33-year-old on a free transfer from arch-rivals Arsenal) and lost Dawson when he sprained his ankle playing in England’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria early in the season.

At the time, SuperSports United chairman Khulu Sibiya made it known he would have let Khumalo go “for just a little more money”.

Today the club released a statement saying: “Supersport United are pleased to announce that a pre-contract agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of Bongani Khumalo with effect from January 2011 has been concluded, subject to a work permit being granted.

“In paying tribute to the player, Supersport United Chairman, Khulu Sibiya, expressed his delight with the opportunity granted to Khumalo who joined the club at the beginning of the 2007/2008 PSL season.

“Bongani has been an exceptional player for Supersport United. His three and a half years at the club has seen him develop into one of the best footballers in the country and his contribution was a major factor in the club winning three consecutive ABSA Premiership League titles. Everyone at the club wishes him well in his future career at Tottenham Hotspur.

“ We are equally proud of the fact that Bongani is joining our partners, Tottenham Hotspur, with whom we have enjoyed a fantastic and fruitful relationship since 2007 and we are convinced that this relationship will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come.”

But there is always the lingering memory of one Mbulelo OJ Mabizela and his time in North London.

Mabizela scored a cracker on his debut for Spurs in 2003 but never settled. Khumalo should have no such problems and is widely expected to rival everything achieved by Lucas Radebe in a glorious decade with Leeds United which came to a close in 2005.

Despite Redknapp’s insistence that he is form “a poor background”, Khumalo’s mum is an English teacher and his late father was a lecturer in African languages at UNISA. He is articulate and well-balanced and will have all the support he needs in London. He says: “As a professional you need to carry yourself very well. It’s vital you train well and set a good example on and off the field. I live in that lifestyle.

“You have to stay motivated, stay strong mentally. I have always wanted to play in England and obviously in the Premier League, and it is my dream to move to Tottenham. It is up to me to make sure it works.

"Playing in the Champions League would be another dream. I think the Champions League is the closest level to the World Cup in terms of quality and the play, so it would be great to make the move."

Yes, that’s the way the lad talks. With conviction. Khumalo explains: “My mum was an English teacher at a high school, so English was always the main focus. I speak English the way I was taught.”

The great chief himself, Radebe, adds this: "Bongani is destined for great heights in his football career,” while Gavin Hunt, the coach who has seen Supersport United win three consecutive South Africa Premier League titles despite their tiny fan base, says: "People should realise that Bongani is a player who has the quality to play in one of the top leagues in Europe.

"He has matured so well in the last few years and I am so pleased that he has been given the chance to experience this World Cup in South Africa."

KHUMALO: the story so far:

1987: Born in Manzini, Swaziland, when his parents were working there.

1989: Moved to the township of Mamelodi near Pretoria aged two.

2001: Played junior football for Arcadia Shepherds, the once-famous Pretoria club responsible for grooming such luminaries as Aston Villa’s European Cup winner Peter Withe and former Blackburn, QPR and Coventry star Roy Wegerle.

2005: Moved to the University of Pretoria, who operate a second division side in South Africa.

2007: Signed for SuperSports United.

2010: He drives a Seat Leon Cupra (“the beast”) and told me during the World Cup: “We all want to play for big teams overseas and if the opportunity comes I’ll jump at it.”

VERDICT: Bongani, there’s no way you’ll “do an OJ” when you come over in January. But if you need a sympathetic bloke to show you London, I’m here pal. Despite the fact I grew up playing for Arcadia Shepherds’ arch-rivals Berea Park, you’re welcome to share my house with my four crazy kids any time. All I ask in return is that you turn out, just once, for my team Goldhill Baptists on the common in Chalfont St Giles, recently voted Buckinghamshire’s Best Kept Village. It’s 23 miles from London. We’re the current national over-35 FA Cup holders and are currently unbeaten atop the South Bucks Church League Division One. I’m the other centre-back. You won’t regret it.

Bongani Khumalo: With Dawson Injured, Will Redknapp Regret His Decision?

AND suddenly, Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is left ruing his decision not to sign South Africa’s finest defender Bongani Khumalo before the transfer window slammed shut last week.

When his England defender Michael Dawson lurched over on the Wembley turf during the second half of last Friday’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria, Redknapp and his Spurs followers had their hearts in their mouths.

With Ledley King already reduced to training on the massage table and Jonathan Woodgate so injury prone he’s not even in the current 25-man squad, Spurs are, as our ‘Arry likes to say: “Down to the bare bones” at centre-back.

And Khumalo, who spent a “highly successful” trial period at White Hart Lane last month, is back home, waiting to captain South African champions SuperSports United against Mamelodi Sundowns at the HM Pitje Stadium on the 18^th after South Africa’s 2-0 win over Niger.

If the big move comes, it won’t be until the window creaks open again on January 1.

Dawson will be out for “at least eight weeks” after spraining his ankle and knee on England duty, leaving Spurs with veteran French defender William Gallas, Younes Kaboul and Cameroon’s Sebastian Bassong to cope at West Brom on Saturday.

All they had to do, according to SuperSports United chairman Khulu Sibiya, was offer a little more money and they would have had Khumalo, the 23-year-old sensation who scored against France and was a World Cup ever-present in South Africa.

Sure, north London has not always been a slick route for South African footballing émigrés, just ask Mbulelo OJ Mabizela, who came over from Orlando Pirates and sank without trace after scoring a cracker on his debut in 2003. Mabizela is now back home with the Platinum Stars. Not because he couldn’t play, but because he was all at sea in London.

But Khumalo, articulate, contained, ever-so-serious, clearly believes he is ready to follow in the footsteps of former South Africa captains Lucas Radebe, still a hero in Leeds where they named a pop group after his beloved Kaizer Chiefs, and Aaron Mokoena, who taught Portsmouth fans exactly what an Mbazo can do in football boots.

In this strange Premier League versus Media Madness world, Khumalo just has to glimpse Benni McCarthy’s plight at West Ham or this week’s Wayne Rooney headlines to know what to expect.

The response is all it could be: “I enjoyed my trial with Spurs and all I can say is that, at this stage, the deal is pending and an announcement will be made later.

“As a professional you need to carry yourself very well. It’s vital you train well and set a good example on and off the field. I live in that lifestyle.

“When you play, and you watch the stands, it adds more energy to your play. You know what it means to the fans.

“You have to stay motivated, stay strong mentally. The next step would be to move overseas, to play in the European leagues.”

"It would be a dream come true if the transfer materialises. I have always wanted to play in England and obviously in the Premier League, and it would be a dream to move to Tottenham. If it happens, it would be up to me to make sure it works.

"Playing in the Champions League would be another dream. I think the Champions League is the closest level to the World Cup in terms of quality and the play, so it would be great to make the move."

And for linguists reading this, relax. He really does talk that way. Khumalo explains: “My mum was an English teacher at a high school, so English was always the main focus. I speak English the way I was taught.”

Oh, and his late father was a lecturer in African languages at Unisa. If only Fabio Capello’s parents had been something similar, the England camp might be a lot happier right now.

But I digress.

Radebe, who changed the way South Africans are seen in England, insists: "Bongani is destined for great heights in his football career,” while Glyn Binkin, who represents both players, is not going to let wheeler-dealer ‘Arry have his man on the cheap. Before the expected move in January, Binkin warns: "At this stage, absolutely nothing has been finalised and discussions are ongoing between representatives of the various parties.”

Khumalo, born when his parents were working in Swaziland in 1987, is 23. Resident in Mamelodi near Pretoria from the age of two, he started out at Arcadia Shepherds, the once-famous capital club responsible for grooming such luminaries as Aston Villa’s European Cup winner Peter Withe and former Blackburn, QPR and Coventry star Roy Wegerle.

Then he moved on to the University of Pretoria before signing for SuperSports United, who have dominated the South African Premier League for three years despite their marked lack of support.

There, he is under the watchful eye of South Africa’s own Alex Ferguson, Gavin Hunt. A no-nonsense coach who told me England were rubbish before the World Cup even started, Hunt says: "People should realise that Bongani is a player who has the quality to play in one of the top leagues in Europe.

"He has matured so well in the last few years and I am so pleased that he has been given the chance to experience this World Cup in South Africa."

Hunt, who has himself been linked with jobs in England, is aware of interest in Khumalo from Rangers in Scotland, and from elsewhere in Europe.

But for Bongani happily remains with the Matsatsantse, and lists his favourite Premier League player as Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic.

He drives Seat Leon Cupra (“the beast”), smiles too infrequently and concludes: “We all want to play for big teams overseas and if the opportunity comes I’ll jump at it.”

FOOTNOTE: Bongani, if you do come over in January and you need a sympathetic bloke to show you London, I’m here pal. Despite the fact I grew up playing for Arcadia Shepherds’ arch-rivals Berea Park, you’re welcome to share my house with my four crazy kids any time. All I ask in return is that you turn out, just once, for my team Goldhill Baptists on the common in Chalfont St Giles, recently voted Buckinghamshire’s Best Kept Village. It’s about half-an-hour from London. We’re the current national over-35 FA Cup holders. I’m the other centre-back. You won’t regret it.