Marumo Gallants coach Dylan Kerr says that on top of the challenge of having over 57 players in his current squad, he is now being met with the tough task of having to turn down big-name players who want to play for him ahead of the upcoming season.
It is that time of the season when clubs are busy behind the scenes. They are launching their kits and roping in new technical team members. Also signing and offloading players to bolster their squads.
However, for the Gallants and their new coach, Kerr, it is not the case. They are seemingly far from finalising their team for the upcoming 2024–2025 season.
Trimming down his squad
Speaking to Sunday World recently, Kerr said that, several players are being offered to him, including overseas-based free agents. This is amid having to trim down his squad to a suitable number.
“At the moment, we’ve got people that are on assessment. As you know, in football, you’ve always got free agents. Former players, released players, out-of-contract players, and players who’ve played for me before. They’re all looking for contracts,” Kerr said.
“It’s frightening the number of good players that are out of contract and can’t get a club. You know, [S’fiso] Hlanti from Kaizer Chiefs and Clayton Daniels messaged me the other day.
“I’ve got Kurt Lentjes trying to ask if he could bring Roscoe Peterson to me. That’s just to name a few. Dino Ndlovu, players from overseas, and the foreigners that have been offered to me.
“I mean, it’s frightening. It’s frightening. But you can only sign so many players. Many of them are in their late 30s or mid-30s, who’ve had great careers. Who’ve been great servants of clubs. It’s just too much.”
Won’t be signing any new players
When asked whether he would consider signing a few of the available players, Kerr said, unfortunately, he would not be signing any of them.
“No, unfortunately. It’s nice, but like I said, they’ve all had outstanding careers. I mean, there are many more names than that, believe me.
“You’ve got Denwin Farmer, who is out of contract. And Ananias Gerhardt, a very, very good international Namibian who’s out of contract. Then there are Keagan Buchanan and Keegan Ritchie, who’ve got an amazing amount of talent.
“King Zulu, the goalkeeper, Washington Arubi wants to come back. You know, Jesse Don, he’s looking for a team.
“So, you’ve got an array of names, a list of names that, you know, have been very, very successful and done very, very well in the PSL. But unfortunately, you know, the dynamics of the game for me are changing now,” he added.
The dates and fixtures of the new season are yet to be announced by the Premier Soccer League (PSL). This as the powers that be are trying to seal a deal for the new potential sponsor, Betway.
