Former Mamelodi Sundowns technical director Mike Ntombela is confident that Bidvest Wits captain Thulani Hlatshwayo will remain at the club.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a successful 2016-17 campaign with Wits, which saw them claim their maiden Absa Premiership title as well as the MTN8 trophy.

Hlatshwayo was also named the Absa Premiership Defender of the Season at the PSL awards on Monday, besting teammate Sifiso Hlanti and Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele to claim the award.

Ntombela strongly believes that the Wits captain will remain at the club ahead of the new season, despite speculation linking him with a move to Orlando Pirates.

“He [Hlatshwayo] still has two more years to run on his contract with Wits and any club that wants him can always talk to Wits. What I know is that he wants to stay at Wits for now,” Ntombela told KickOff.com.

“There is not anything from my side and him. I was with him yesterday so there is nothing as yet which other clubs have said. Any clubs that wants him must talk to Wits because he belongs to Wits.”

Ntombela believes that Hlatshwayo has grown to a quality player since making his transfer from Ajax Cape Town to Wits back in 2014.

“I think he has grown. I never thought he will grow like that, but he has grown gradually and what I like about him is that he has moved from Ajax to Wits where he has fully grown, yet still concentrating,” he added.

“I am very excited for him with the way he has grown.”

– This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za