Kenyan defender Brian Mandela signs for new club in South Africa
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 19.08.24. | 17:17
The 30-year-old had in July been linked with a move to Supersport United
Kenyan international Brian Onyango Mandela is set to extend his stay in South Africa after signing with Premiership Club Stellenbosch FC on a two-year-deal.
Onyango, who conducted his medicals over the weekend, was one of four players shown the door at Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
He had earlier last month been linked to a move to Supersport United, where he trained, only for a potential deal to fall through.
The new development, first reported by iDiski Times, now means that the 30-year-old will spend at least 14 years of his club football career in South Africa, and will also stand a chance of featuring in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
It is understood that Onyango's "CAF Champions League experience" was a key reason why the South African football club based in the Cape Winelands, settled on him.
Stellenbosch are currently involved in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary stages, and walloped Eswatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs 3-0 in an away first leg on Saturday.
"Onyango could help Stellies progress well in the CAF Confederation Cup and aid the club to reach higher standards," iDiski noted on Monday.
🚨🇰🇪 Brian Mandela has arrived in Stellenbosch for an assessment after being released by Mamelodi Sundowns 🇿🇦 last month.
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) August 17, 2024
"Brian Mandela is also training with the youngsters as he waits for coach Steve Barker to assess him upon the first team's return from Durban."
-Goal.com pic.twitter.com/ZS3D5ObuO9
Having made his Kenyan international debut in 2011, Onyango comes with a wealth of experience on the continental scene.
The defender has played in South Africa for 12 years, featuring for three clubs namely Santos, Maritzburg United and Masandawana, where he won four Premiership titles, the Nedbank Cup, and the MTN8 title.
Despite being a bit-part player in his last seasons at Sundowns, Onyango, throughout his four-year spell there, made a total of 61 appearances in all competitions across the league as well as the CAF inter-clubs, and was even recalled to the Harambee Stars team in 2023 after a lengthy absence on the international stage.
Stellenbosch, who open their season against Lamontville Golden Arrows on 15 September, finished third in the league last season, tied on points with second-placed Orlando Pirates.
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