'Killer' has got Pitso's blessing

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mphela' s potential move to English Premier League club Hull City has been endorsed by coach Pitso Mosimane .

Killer, the nickname Mphela earned for his instinct in front of goal, played a minimal role in Downs' disastrous 2012-13 Premier League season - they finished 10th on the log - managing just three goals.

But Mosimane, who has often backed Mphela as "the best in South Africa" even when he was injured, believes a move away from the domestic league would restore the player's hunger to be the country's top marksman.

The former Supersport United man has scored 23 goals in 52 appearances for Bafana Bafana and last featured for the national team in the Africa Cup of Nations hosted by South Africa in January.

"We haven't yet heard from Hull City. All of it is just rumours to us, but I believe it is his time," said Mosimane. "He's had enough drama, ups and downs in the past two seasons and only just joined our pre-season camp in our third week."

Last Friday, a report in the UK suggested that the English club had shown interest in Mphela's services because he was cheaper than manager Steve Bruce's other options.

"If the offer does come, we won't stand in his way, because the guy deserves a break. I am the coach here now and I am determined to help him," said Mosimane, who got goals out of Mphela while with Bafana, before being succeeded by Gordon Igesund in June last year. "South Africa needs a striker in one of the top leagues in the world."

But is Mphela, 28, sharp enough to leave Chloorkop and make an impact in a foreign league?

"He's been struggling with injuries and only recently joined pre-season, but I doubt the guys at Hull are fit as well, because they have also just come back from holidays," the coach said.

"How selfish can we get if we choose not to let him go? We've got enough back-up in the team to replace Mphela if he goes."

Sundowns added to their already long list of strikers at the club last month by signing Cuthbert Malajila, who top-scored for Maritzburg United with 11 goals last season, and Rodney Ramagalela from relegated Black Leopards.

In July 2011, Mphela went on a week-long trial at Scottish club Celtic in an attempt to impress manager Neil Lennon but did not do enough to earn a contract.