Lincoln City are reportedly the unnamed League One club to have seen two bids rejected for Salford City defender Haji Mnoga.
The 23-year-old right-back remains under contract at the Peninsula Stadium until 2026, but Alan Nixon reports that City are pushing to bring him to Sincil Bank.
Imps Eye Versatile Defender Amid Squad Rebuild
Mnoga impressed during his first full campaign with Salford City, making 33 League Two appearances after signing permanently from Portsmouth in August 2024. His strong form prompted the Ammies to trigger a one-year extension clause in his deal, keeping him tied to the club until the summer of 2026. As a result, Salford—now managed by Karl Robinson—have rejected two approaches from Lincoln for the Tanzania international.
The defender may not be a natural fit for what many fans consider Lincoln’s top priority—a left-back—but with veteran Tendayi Darikwa unlikely to feature heavily in a demanding Saturday-Tuesday schedule, versatility and depth down the right may be an essential consideration. Mnoga is also capable of operating at centre-back, adding further value to a potential move.
Having joined Portsmouth’s academy in 2008, Mnoga made his senior debut at 16 in an EFL Trophy tie against Crawley Town, becoming the club’s second-youngest post-war debutant. His league debut came at Sincil Bank in 2020 in a 3–1 win for Pompey. A new three-year deal followed in 2021, but his path to the first team remained blocked, resulting in loans to Bromley, Weymouth, Gillingham and Aldershot Town before his 2024 exit.
At Salford, he quickly became a regular starter and one of the club’s more consistent performers during a turbulent season. Despite interest from higher up the EFL pyramid, Salford’s stance on retaining Mnoga suggests they still see him as a key part of their own ambitions heading into 2025/26.
Internationally, Mnoga played for England at U17 level before switching allegiance to Tanzania, for whom he debuted in 2022. Now boasting over 100 senior appearances at club level, he combines youth with solid EFL experience.
Writer’s View
This link makes perfect sense when viewed through the lens of opportunity and long-term value. Mnoga isn’t a left-back, and he’s not an obvious marquee signing, but he’s young, EFL-hardened, and tactically versatile—an ideal fit for a squad that could be light in wide areas if injuries strike.
If Darikwa is to be managed carefully, bringing in someone who can slot in reliably at right-back or in a three-man defence feels like a smart hedge. It’s the kind of proactive recruitment that reflects a club learning from past depth issues.
