JOHANNESBURG — Kaizer Chiefs’ Ovidy Karuru has been sent on loan while fellow Zimbabwean international Mathew Rusike is set for a new three-year contract after the South Africa Premier Soccer League champions announced sweeping changes at the club yesterday.
SuperSport/Sports Reporter
The club released captain and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, international defender Tefu Mashamaite and Mandla Masango, while, as reported yesterday, coach Stuart Baxter has also left the Naturena-based giants.
A breakdown in negotiations was confirmed by chairman Kaizer Motaung. “Mandla was made an offer. He made a counter offer and then we made a counter offer, but bettering our first offer. He came back with another counter proposal. That should tell you something,” Motaung said.
“When a situation becomes only about money, it means a player should not be part of us. Mandla has been here long, but obviously he has concluded a deal elsewhere, so we abandoned discussions. “Mashamaite was also a scenario where he was made a contract offer early, but his agent came back with a counter. We then agreed to that proposal, but in the process, there was a delay to sign the agreement. Discussions then went back and forth.
“We realised that it is not longer about integrity, but about trying to get more money. We have terminated the negotiations. Up until yesterday, his agent said they are not moving. We said fine, it is the end of the road,” the club’s chairman said.
“Itu is also the same scenario. Itu has now become even more disrespectful to the club. He sent us a note to tell us he’ll speak to us on June 18 when he comes back for pre-season. It was clear that he was dictating to us. We cannot go ahead to finalise our plans, but we’re held to ransom by one person.
“We are moving ahead and will not await until 18th of June. It doesn’t take one or two players to make a team.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Katlego Mphela has also had his contract cancelled, while Siyabonga Nkosi and Josta Dladla are also not being retained.
Karuru, the Zimbabwe international signed from Belgium last season, and Levy Mokotgo are to be loaned out along with five players from the club’s development academy.
“It is not that they are bad players, they have all contributed. We want to give them an opportunity to get game time at other clubs,” Chiefs’ football manager Bobby Motaung said.
On new signings, Motaung said there would be no speculation from the club, but only an official announcement once the deal had been done.
