Bafana defender becomes free-agent after terminating contract with Israeli giants

Bafana Bafana centre-back Siyanda Xulu has left Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Tel Aviv with immediate effect.

Xulu has been a mainstay for the national team in the heart of defence during the reigns of Molefi Ntseki and now Hugo Broos.

The 30-year-old has also been a regular feature for his club since arriving a year and a half ago and started 18 of the Red Demons' 24 league matches this season.

But now Hapoel has agreed on a mutual termination of his contract after the player went reportedly AWOL, with the Israeli club's owner saying "he did something that should not be done."

"Our defender Siyanda Xulu did something that should not be done. His return to the club is not at all on the agenda. His career at Hapoel Tel Aviv is finished," Hapoel Tel Aviv owner Itzik Nisanov told Sport5 as per FarPost.

"The ball is in Hapoel Tel Aviv's court. No unusual action was taken by Hapoel Tel Aviv or coach Kobi Refuah. After the game, we will reach a decision with the club whether it is the end of communication or if Hapoel Tel Aviv demands, the player will return to Israel immediately and stand before a disciplinary committee.

"The player is aware that if Hapoel demands that he return to Israel and continues to serve the club until the end of the season, he will be required to do so. If not, he will face a lawsuit."

Meanwhile, Xulu's agency Siyavuma Sports Group confirmed to Soccer Laduma: "There have been some misleading media reports regarding Siyanda Xulu and his absence from the Hapoel Tel Aviv, matchday squad on Saturday 26 February 2022.

"For clarity, Siyanda Xulu has today come to an agreement on his contract with the management of Hapoel Tel Aviv to mutually terminate with immediate effect. Siyanda's contract was due to end in