Ngasa, who played a key role for Yanga’s impressive performance in the 2014/2014 season, was officially confirmed as Free State Stars’ player yesterday, a few weeks after announcing he had decided to join the South African outfit.
Dar es Salaam. Former Young Africans striker Mrisho Ngassa has completed his lucrative move to South Africa’s Premier League side, Free State Stars, after agreeing a four-year deal.
Ngasa, who played a key role for Yanga’s impressive performance in the 2014/2014 season, was officially confirmed as Free State Stars’ player yesterday, a few weeks after announcing he had decided to join the South African outfit.
Reliable sources revealed yesterday that the 26-year-old player has signed a lucrative contract, which would make him one of the most expensive players at the club. They feel short of giving more details.
“We are delighted to announce we have agreed terms with Mrisho Ngasa’s agent for the transfer of the player,” the team’s coach, Kinnah Phiri, was quoted as saying from Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday.
“He (Ngasa) has agreed personal terms with the club and today (yesterday) passed a medical examination,” the Malawian tactician added.
Free State Stars sit ninth in the South African Premier League table with 38 points. Phiri reportedly believes the diminutive forward will propel his team to the higher of success. When contacted for comment, Ngasa, whose contract with Yanga expired two or so weeks ago, said: “I’m delighted to finally be here. It’s a wonderful club and I can’t wait to get started.”
“I always said I wanted to play abroad. I believe that if I play well enough at Free State Stars, I could win my place in the starting team,” he added.
Deal fell through
Ngasa was set to join Free State Stars in July 2014 but the transfer hit a snag as the two clubs could not reach an agreement over the player’s valuation.
Free State Stars were ready to offer Yanga $80,000, but the Jangwani Street club’s management demanded $150,000.
That was the second time Ngasa failed to clinch a deal from an African team, with the last time being 2012 when Sudanese giants El Merreikh also withdrew their offer after Simba and Azam FC got into a collision course over transfer fee money.
The player, who joined Yanga for the first time in 2006, made close to 200 appearances for the team, scoring over 86 goals in the process. He is capped 82 times with the national soccer team, Taifa Stars.
In April 2009, Ngasa was invited for a trials with English Premier League side, West Ham United but failed to impress the club during the trials. He becomes the second Tanzanian player to feature for Free State Stars. Former Simba SC forward Nteze John played for the team (then known as Qwaqwa United) from 1997 to 1999.
