After several weeks of speculations, the management of Maweja Takers and Joe Express have confirmed that they had decided to close ranks and merge.

According to the general manager of Maweja Takers, Mr Mukondi Nemavhulani, the move is the final product of a series of closed-door meetings between the two parties.

Nemavhulani revealed that the deal was sealed towards the end of last month. The managing director of Joe Express FC, Mr Joe Malala, confirmed the move, saying the deal would not only benefit the two parties, but local football lovers as well. He further stated that the decision to merge had come after it was realized that it would be difficult for either side to gain promotion to the elite league on their own.

Express had been campaigning in the ABC Motsepe League for two seasons, while Takers had been an affiliate of the MMK Administrators' League for two seasons as well. Nemavhulani said that the new club would be known as Joe Maweja FC. The team will have two training camps, at Niani and Tshakhuma. The Tshifulanani Stadium will be their home ground and the Makwarela Stadium their alternative home ground.

According to him, they will not rush into conducting trials for new players. They will first give the current players of Maweja Takers and Joe Express a chance to prove themselves. He also added that they were busy assembling a formidable squad that would take them to the National First Division at the end of the coming season.