Kaizer Chiefs midfielder leaving at the end of the season – Reports

Kaizer Chiefs will part ways with midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe at the end of 2023/24.

Sithebe has struggled to nail down a place

Sithebe arrived at Naturena from AmaZulu in July 2022 and his current deal with the club expires in June. The midfield schemer was a central figure in 2022/23 making 28 appearances across all competitions. However, he’s become a fringe player this term. Long-term injuries haven’t helped his tally of just a single outing in 2023/24.

According to a Phakaaathi source, Sithebe won’t be a Chiefs player next term.

“At his age, Sithebe should be playing week in and week out at Chiefs, but this injury has made it difficult for him to compete this season. And to make things worse, the club can’t open talks with him over a new contract,” said the source.

“The club has also brought in some good players in his position and there are also young players like Samkelo (Zwane) and Lehlogonolo (Matlou) competing with him in that central midfield position, so things don’t look for Sithebe insofar as his future with Chiefs is concerned.”

Kaizer Chiefs Siyethemba Sithebe at training alongside Happy Mashiane and Donay Jansen. Image: BackpagePix.

Usuthu return on the cards?

The Citizen’s sources believe 31-year-old Sithebe could return to AmaZulu, his home between 2017 and 2022. However, he’d need to smooth over a few complications there after leaving the club on poor terms.

CAPE TOWN CITY ARE A BOGEY TEAM FOR KAIZER CHIEFS

Seventh-placed Chiefs travel to Cape Town City on Saturday with both sides in need of points to stay in touch for a two-two finish. City have won just one of their last eight league games, and City boss Eric Tinkler has reminded media of the fickleness of football. Chiefs are in poor form themselves, coming off the back of a Soweto Derby defeat to Orlando Pirates. Amakhosi have won only one of their last six assignments. In terms of the H2H, City have won five of their last six league encounters against Chiefs including each of the last four. City’s triumph over Chiefs on the final day of 2022/23 condemned Chiefs to a fifth-placed finish in the league and helped the Citizens secure fourth in the DStv Premiership at their expense. Amakhosi’s last win over City in the league was in January 2021.

Athlone Stadium is the stage with the sides meeting on Saturday 30 March at 15:30. Chiefs midfield duo Yusuf Maart and Edson Castillo will miss the match because of an accumulation of bookings. meanwhile, rumoured Amakhosi target Khanyisa Mayo is in the Golden Boot race with nine strikes in the league.

Kaizer Chiefs are yet to contact Cape Town City over Khanyisa Mayo’s services. Image: (@CapeTownCityFC/Instagram)

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