The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
MYSTERY surrounds the status of former Highlanders vice-captain, Gabriel Nyoni at Maritzburg United in South Africa, with claims that his contract has been terminated.
Nyoni was allegedly shown the exit at the Team of Choice in June over a number of alleged disciplinary issues, which included the speedy winger’s posting of a photo on social media showing off a lot of money on top of a table a few months after joining the club, an incident that could have made him an easy target for robbers.
In April, the 27-year-old Nyoni was also involved in a nasty break up, with his ex-lover stating at the time she was fearing for her life. The incident is said to have dragged the club’s name into the mud.
What has increased speculation about Nyoni’s exit from Maritzburg United is his absence from the team’s matchday squads since the Absa Premiership resumed on 11 August.
The man popularly known as the “Granvia” to local football fans was not in the squad of 18 which drew 1-1 with Highlands Park at Dobsonville Stadium yesterday, the fourth match Maritzburg United have played since the resumption of the league action.
Nyoni is said to be in Pietermaritzburg waiting for a clearance from Maritzburg United to join a team of his choice in Mzansi. His recent photographs at the sea was confirmation that he was in KwaZulu-Natal and not in Gauteng where the action is taking place. He has been keeping himself busy on social media with motivational posts.
The agent who took him to Maritzburg in a one-off deal is said to be pushing for a move to Stellenbosch, provided the player signs the intermediary’s contract. With the Stellenbosch move, Nyoni has an opportunity to also enrol at the prestigious Stellenbosch University to further his education. Nyoni already has a marketing degree from the National University of Science and Technology (Nust).
Efforts to get a comment from Nyoni and Maritzburg United were not successful as both parties did not respond to written questions from this publication.
Nyoni joined Maritzburg United in July last year from Caps United, a few months after his switch from Highlanders where he had been since 2013. At Maritzburg United, he signed a two-year contract, with an option of a 12 months extension. — @Mdawini_29
