Shilongo hopeful for future amid SuperSport United split
In a sad end, Namibian international footballer Benson Shilongo has parted ways with SuperSport United.
The Namibian international joined the Tshwane outfit last September and is understood to have put pen to paper on a two-year contract at the time, but was still waiting to make his official debut.
Benson confirmed the news, describing the situation as "sad" but adding that he is hopeful for the future.
The Brave Warriors forward is still in South Africa and is still training with SuperSport for a while, hoping another opportunity will arise.
SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews also confirmed to SABC Sport that they have parted ways with Shilongo.
He explained that a matter involving the forward and his former club, Egyptian side Ismaily, appeared to not have been resolved to pave the way for his second stint in the Premier Soccer League.
Shilongo spent two years at the now defunct Platinum Stars before moving to North Africa in 2018 to initially join Pyramids and then later Ismaily.
Dragged on
“We agreed upfront with Benson that we would want to bring him on board only after his matter with his previous club was finally settled. Unfortunately, that matter has dragged on longer than expected and will now only be heard later in the year, so we have agreed that it’s best for both parties that Benson explore other options and we can reassess things when his case is settled,” Matthews told SABC Sport.
The reason for Shilongo leaving Ismaily in December 2021 was due to the club failing in their commitment to pay his salary.
He transferred to Israel for a few months and it was thought he was cleared to subsequently move on and return to South Africa with SuperSport.
“Benson has been super professional and dedicated throughout his time training with us and it’s frustrating and unacceptable really that any player should have a matter drag on for well over a year without being fully resolved through the dispute resolution structures in place.
"We hope he can get on with his livelihood and playing the game he loves soon,” Matthews said.
– Additional information SABC SPORTS
The Namibian international joined the Tshwane outfit last September and is understood to have put pen to paper on a two-year contract at the time, but was still waiting to make his official debut.
Benson confirmed the news, describing the situation as "sad" but adding that he is hopeful for the future.
The Brave Warriors forward is still in South Africa and is still training with SuperSport for a while, hoping another opportunity will arise.
SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews also confirmed to SABC Sport that they have parted ways with Shilongo.
He explained that a matter involving the forward and his former club, Egyptian side Ismaily, appeared to not have been resolved to pave the way for his second stint in the Premier Soccer League.
Shilongo spent two years at the now defunct Platinum Stars before moving to North Africa in 2018 to initially join Pyramids and then later Ismaily.
Dragged on
“We agreed upfront with Benson that we would want to bring him on board only after his matter with his previous club was finally settled. Unfortunately, that matter has dragged on longer than expected and will now only be heard later in the year, so we have agreed that it’s best for both parties that Benson explore other options and we can reassess things when his case is settled,” Matthews told SABC Sport.
The reason for Shilongo leaving Ismaily in December 2021 was due to the club failing in their commitment to pay his salary.
He transferred to Israel for a few months and it was thought he was cleared to subsequently move on and return to South Africa with SuperSport.
“Benson has been super professional and dedicated throughout his time training with us and it’s frustrating and unacceptable really that any player should have a matter drag on for well over a year without being fully resolved through the dispute resolution structures in place.
"We hope he can get on with his livelihood and playing the game he loves soon,” Matthews said.
– Additional information SABC SPORTS
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