I was one of the lucky ones to see Tokelo make his last appearance in an AFCB shirt at Birmingham City in the FA Cup third round back in January. On that day AFCB won the game but Tokelo was sidelined after just 39 minutes. Is that now the end of Tokelo's AFCB dream?
I fear it is likely to be a parting over the summer, even though Tokelo still has a year on his contract to go. Injuries and bad fortune have not helped his spell at the Cherries. Yet, I believe there will not be a player that leaves the club that is not more sorely missed than Tokelo when it happens. There was a question on social media wondering why this would be the case? After all, Tokelo has not made a big impression in terms of minutes on the pitch with six appearances in 2015-16. But there is an undeniable fondness for the South African striker who was of course the club's record signing when he came to the club in August 2013 for roughly £2.5m. At that time he was about to embark on their first Championship season in some 23 years. Rantie was the big signing from Malmo and signalled the start of a new era for the club.
There is also Tokelo's joy at being at AFCB and his appreciation for Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall. It is always warming to hear the Bafana Bafana strikers words that really hit home and remind fans that not every player takes their position and stardom for granted. Tokelo found an escape from his situation through football and he has always been thankful for the opportunities he has had and this is why I believe AFCB fans have been so keen to sing Tokelo's song and encourage him to score. He maybe an underdog and virtually swept aside by the pace of the Cherries' rise and yet I'm hopeful he can get a move that helps his career.
At 25 there is still plenty of years ahead of Tokelo and last January there was a strong link with AFCB's number nine about to make a loan move to Sint-Truidense in Belgium. The injury in the FA Cup against Birmingham stopped any hope of a second half of the season loan and while Cardiff City were said to be interested in Tokelo last summer, AFCB may well allow the striker to leave this summer for a small fee if there is some interest.
Euro2016 - High kicking Portugal keep England sedated until the last five minutes.
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| Tokelo Rantie has had another injury-ridden season. |
There is also Tokelo's joy at being at AFCB and his appreciation for Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall. It is always warming to hear the Bafana Bafana strikers words that really hit home and remind fans that not every player takes their position and stardom for granted. Tokelo found an escape from his situation through football and he has always been thankful for the opportunities he has had and this is why I believe AFCB fans have been so keen to sing Tokelo's song and encourage him to score. He maybe an underdog and virtually swept aside by the pace of the Cherries' rise and yet I'm hopeful he can get a move that helps his career.
At 25 there is still plenty of years ahead of Tokelo and last January there was a strong link with AFCB's number nine about to make a loan move to Sint-Truidense in Belgium. The injury in the FA Cup against Birmingham stopped any hope of a second half of the season loan and while Cardiff City were said to be interested in Tokelo last summer, AFCB may well allow the striker to leave this summer for a small fee if there is some interest.
Euro2016 - High kicking Portugal keep England sedated until the last five minutes.
If Koeman goes to Everton will Southampton go for Howe
ReplyDeleteYes but he won't go there, no chance
ReplyDeleteYes but he won't go there, no chance
ReplyDeleteBack when both clubs were in League 1, Southampton sacked Alan Pardew for reasons I still don't understand. It was obviously an unplanned decision because they were sniffing around several clubs for while before raiding Scunthorpe for Nigel Adkins. Eddie turned them down. They then denied having even asked him but that appeared to be just spin.
DeleteEverything and nothing has changed in the meantime. He did not go then, why should he go now?