Highlands release Mbesuma, Moriri quits football

Mbesuma joined the Lions of the North at the start of last season following the sale of Mpumalanga Black Aces to John Comitis.

“With Collins Mbesuma, we agreed to terminate his contract,” Kaftel told KickOff.

“There was a mutual agreement and the mutual agreement is that we have parted ways.

“Collins is a legend and he’s a fantastic goal scorer. I can only say that he’s a good guy, great player, a gentleman, and I’ve only got good things to say about Collins. I think also his age has caught up with him and he’s not a youngster anymore.

“I think the NFD requires a lot of speed and I don’t think the NFD is for Collins. Collins can do the job for a top team and is a goal poacher. But we are looking for hard running players now and we don’t have that luxury.”

Kaftel weighed in on Surprise Moriri retiring from football. The veteran striker joined Highlands in November after his Mamelodi Sundowns didn’t renew hi contract and was forced to leave the club.

“He has retired and I have had discussions with Larry Brookstone [club director] that he has retired.

“But as far I’m concerned he has retired. We haven’t negotiated with him and my understanding with Surprise is he came to help us for a couple of months and he has retired.

“Having said that, there’s no doubt that he’s a legend and don’t get me wrong, he’s one of South Africa’s best ever players. A special player and special man. He’s really a good guy but from a playing career, he has retired.

“But Larry Brookstone handles that and he’s the technical director but he said to me that Surprise has retired.”