Story written by Lungelo Mahlaba
Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City midfielder Surprise Ralani has joined the Premier Soccer League club ahead of the new season.
After being club-less since the end of last season, Surprise Ralani has been a free-agent, however, he has now sealed a deal with the Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Hungry lions fc.
At the age of 37, Surprise Ralani is not willing to hang up his boots any time soon. Despite being relegated with Cape Town Spurs last season, Rulani parted ways with the club and joined another Motsepe Foundation Championship club instead.
Hungry lions fc did not start the season on a high note as they are currently sitting in the 8th position after six matches so far this season. The club has eight points so far this season.
Hungry lions are sitting seven points behind Durban city (formerly known as Maritzburg united) who are on top of the table, however, Durban city fc have played seven games so far, just one game ahead of Hungry lions fc.
Despite being seven points behind Durban city fc, Hungry lions are safe from the relegation zone as Venda Football Academy and Highbury have one and two points respectively. Both sides are the current clubs that find themselves in the relegation zone.
They have brought Surprise Ralani in order to assist them gain a promotion to the top flight at the end of the season. That is highly possible as Surprise Ralani is a star player who has been doing extremely well in the top flight for many years now.
SURPRISE RALANIʼS EARLY LIFE
The former Bafana Bafana winger was born in Kimberly, one of the biggest cities in North West. He was born on the 4th of October 1987.
He started his football career at one of the well-known football academies in South Africa, Stars of Africa. That is where he caught the attention of European clubs and spent most of his football career in Sweden.
The 37-year-old was a young boy who could play as a left winger, attacking midfielder and also as a right winger.
SURPRISE RALANIʼS FOOTBALL CAREER
After spending some time at Stars of Africa, he was spotted by the Swedish club Helsingborgs IF. He officially joined the club back in January 2009. Unfortunately, Helsingborgs IF loaned him to IFK Hassleholm a year later.
His short-term loan deal with IFK Hassleholm came to an end in December 2009. After his loan came to an end, he returned to his parent club and was loaned to Landskrona three months later.
The 37-year-old left Sweden in January 2015 for the Denmark side, Lyngby BK. The player returned to Sweden in 2016 before deciding to return to South Africa in 2018 as he felt it was time to return home.
He was officially announced by the Betway Premiership side, Cape Town City, at the beginning of January 2018. Ralani spent four years at the Cape Town based side before joining Mamelodi Sundowns.
Surprise Ralaniʼs stay at Mamelodi Sundowns did not last that long as he was released by the club a year later and joined Cape Town Spurs, who were newly promoted by that time.
He will now be hoping to revive his football career at Hungary lions fc.
