Moeneeb reveals Bucs hurt 02 August By Tshepang Mailwane Johannesburg – New Bidvest Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs on Thursday said he was shocked and hurt when he received the news that Orlando Pirates would not renew his contract. Josephs, back at Wits for a second spell, spent five years with the Buccaneers, winning six trophies during this time. But after an injury ravaged season in the last campaign, the player’s contract was not renewed when it expired at the end of June. Josephs admits he had hoped the Buccaneers’ management would extend his contract and that he would play in the Caf Champions League, but it was not to be. “At the beginning, I was shell-shocked. I had been with the team for a while, and I was expecting something to happen. But at the time Senzo Meyiwa was doing well. As a footballer, the quicker you realise that you have to move on, the better. “But it was hard and it hurt to leave. Being at a club for five years and having to leave is always going to be hard. But that’s the way football works. I would have wanted to play in Africa, but it’s not to be. Things change and you move on. Thankfully Bidvest Wits came to my rescue and now I have to repay them. My manager and I spoke to Wits as soon as my contract with Pirates ended.” Josephs, though, was happy to reflect on his five-year stay with the Buccaneers, even though things did not end so well. “The first four years were unbelievable. They were brilliant. I’m going miss playing at Orlando Stadium. I dedicate everything I achieved there to the supporters. I won six trophies with Pirates and I do not regret anything.” The former Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper is looking to play regularly this season and win back his place in the national team. “It’s amazing to be back and see the whole new structure at the club. Everything is looking good. “First I’d just like to get playing. It’s been a while since I last played. For me the most important thing is about playing the first match, just to get going. The national team is always at the back of my mind, but I need to play regularly. I feel fit and I feel sharp. That’s how any player wants to feel before the start of a new season. Only good things lie ahead,” the 33-year-old said. Wits may have an experienced coach in Gavin Hunt, who has won the Premiership title three times, but Josephs has warned his teammates there is a long way to go before they can start thinking about lifting the biggest prize in South African football. Wits finished fourth last season under Clive Barker. “To think of the championship, it’s a bit far from now. We have a whole bunch of new players. They did well last season and we want to take it a little bit further. This team should be competing and we have the players to do that. We can compete at all levels. I have the same passion and drive as I had at Pirates. I’m itching to get going.” Josephs has backed Pirates’ number one shot stopper Senzo Meyiwa to be an even bigger success than he was last season, and expects Meyiwa to play a huge role for the club in the Champions League. “Senzo has grown as a goalkeeper. He has been doing very well. And his experience will help him now because he has played a few game in Africa. He is going to be a big asset to Pirates going into this championship,” Josephs said. Wits play Platinum Stars in their opening game of the season in Rustenburg on Sunday. – The Star
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 16:31:29 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015