Mnguni moves to Lokomotiv

Russian runners-up FC Lokomotiv Moscow have signed Bennett Mnguni from Sundowns FC in South Africa.

International duty
The 27-year-old midfield player, who is on international duty preparing for the African Cup of Nations, will join compatriot Jacob Lekcetho at Lokomotiv. Mnguni was voted player of the year in South Africa and was nominated for the African player of the year award.

First major signing
It is Lokomotiv’s first major pre-season signing ahead of the 2002 campaign which will again see them taking part in the UEFA Champions League. They went out of this season’s competition at the first group stage.

Nigmatullin departure
The squad is in need of new faces after Lokomotiv lost goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin to FC Hellas-Verona in Italy and sweeper Igor Chugainov to newly-promoted Uralan Elista. Lokomotiv are also said to be interested in signing two more players, both of them Costa Rican internationals.

Key man
The African Cup of Nations is being played in Mali between 19 January and 10 February. Mnguni is expected to be a key man for South Africa although new club colleague Lekcetho has had to pull out of the squad this week with a knee injury.