By Neil Ravenscroft
December 22 2004

According to the web site of ProPlayer Management, his American agents, South African striker Toni Nhleko is set to join Walsall. The site says that terms have been agreed for the 9 times capped South African international, who last season played in Major League Soccer for Dallas Burn. If a work permit is approved, Nhleko will joining the Saddlers in January 2005.
"I really look forward to this", says Nhleko on their web site, "I have always dreamed of playing in England and this is the perfect stepping stone for me".

According to Major League Soccer's web site, he has proven very effective as the lone striker in a 4-5-1, but also teamed well with MLS' All Time leading scorer Jason Kreis in a 4-4-2.
Toni's big goal, apparantly, is to represent South Africa in the 2010 World Cup on home soil. He already has 9 caps for South Africa and was in the squad for the 2004 African Nations Cup.

Before joning MLS, he spent the 2002 season playing for SK Brann in Norway, appearing in 20 matches, including two UEFA Cup matches in 2002. Prior to joining Brann, he played for the Jomo Cosmos in South Africa from 1998-2002. He has eight caps for South Africa, most recently appearing on February 2, 2004 in a 1-1 draw vs. Morocco in the African Nations Cup. He has one goal for his country in a 3-0 victory over Mozambique in 2001. In addition to his time with the senior national team, has also represented South Africa at the U-20 and U-23 levels and played in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Personal

Actual first name is Nkosinathi, but goes by Toni ...nicknamed "The Lion" ... married to Thandeka Promise and has two children, Nkosinathi Jr. (3) and Bongi (1) ... most memorable soccer moment was playing for Jomo Cosmos in the Coca Cola Cup - the South African league championship ... favourite musical artist is the rhythm and blues group Tank ... favourite movie of all-time is John Q.

It's not the first of April, is it?