Inter Africa Football Academy has been dealt a blow ahead of the resumption of the ABC Motsepe League campaign.
No Bones with Jones has been informed that the Second Division newbie has been unsuccessful in its attempt to lure Grassy Park United’s Waseem ‘Wurm’ George (pictured) to sharpen their attack.
Coach Theo Hempe has been hustling to build a decent and competitive squad since they purchased the status of Batalions FC before the start of the season and identified the 29-year-old George as one of the marquee players to help strengthen his squad.
But United is having none of it and is not eager to release their striker. Some will say this is understandable to a certain extent given that the two clubs are in the same stream (B) while others will raise eyebrows as to why United is still holding onto George as he has not been getting much game time.
Hempe confirmed the news to our website: “We were unable to get his clearance so we will focus elsewhere now. “I’m having a meeting with the Chairman regarding three other players,” said Hempe.
Inter Africa, who have to play under Batalions’ banner for this season before the name change can come into effect, has lost both their games thus far and has not scored a single goal while conceding five.
Hempe has been in the game long enough and is clearly under no illusion of the mammoth task that awaits him to retain their status for next season.
Inter Africa travel to City Kings on Saturday for the first game post the Festive break and it will be interesting to see which new faces will be unveiled as the club has been hosting extensive trials in recent weeks.
“It was always going to be challenging to recruit players at this time of the season and the aim is to work with those that you have at your disposal as they have been with us for a while,” Hempe further stated.
“So, we aim to make the best of what we have. We are targeting one or two experienced guys but you also know that this calibre of players won’t be available at this time, so we have to keep pushing,” Hempe concluded.
