The recent improved performances of a Kaizer Chiefs player, whose contract is set to expire at the of June, have not gone unnoticed by the club's hierarchy, KickOff understands.
Chiefs also have as many as six players whose contracts are set to expire at the end of June. Itumeleng Khune, Siyethemba Sithebe, George Matlou, Njabulo Ngcobo, Edmilson Dove, Jasond Gonzalez and Sifiso Hlanti are all facing an uncertain future at Naturena.
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The verdict has been cast on players like Gonzalez, it is understood that some have pulled up their socks and may have done just enough to convince the powers that be at Chiefs to be deserving of at least a one-year extension. One such case is that Sithebe.
Despite a poor start to the season that saw him feature just once in Chiefs' 21 matches of the season, the deadlocked midfielder has been immense for Amakhosi in recent matches, proving he may be worth keeping for another season.
Caught the Chiefs game late at night yesterday. Y`all need to cut Sithebe some slack. Don`t play the man, play the ball.He has been good. One of the best players yesterday, certainly the best midfielder in the team currently.
— Alan Sithole (@alan_sithole) May 13, 2024
Those close to situation unraveling at the Village say the Sithebe's efforts have not gone unnoticed.
"Well he (Sithebe) has taken his chance and he is showing that he can be an important player to have in the squad. It's still up to the management to keep him or not but everyone can see he is working hard and I would say his chances look better than they did months ago," an insider told KickOff.
Sithebe has played all eight of Amakhosi's last eight matches – equaling his longest run of matches in a Chiefs shirt since his arrival at the start of the 22/23 season.
Speaking to media after Chiefs' 1-1 draw against AmaZulu, head coach Cavin Johnson said the club 'appreciated' the work being done by Sithebe.
"When you see people like that, then you appreciate what he (Sithebe) does for himself as a human being, and what he does for football as a human being and what he does for Kaizer Chiefs," Johnson said when asked about Sithebe's contract.
"The contract issues and things like that, he knows what happens, it's either he stays or he goes. But is he here for... he's here to play football and that's what he's doing, he's playing football and we appreciate that very much.
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For Chiefs, the matter is a complicated one. The possible exit of midfielder Edson Castillo could leave Amakhosi lacking depth in the heart of midfield should Sithebe also leave.
Although the club is linked with a move for Sekhukhune's Siphesihle Mkhize, the deal is complex due to the player belonging to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Further tangling the web is the age factor; at 31, Sithebe is approaching the twilight years of his playing career. Samkelo Zwane is available, but questions remain over the 21-year-old's readiness to start for the famous Black And Gold on a weekly basis ans the pressures that come with it.
Ultimately, keeping Sithebe for at least one more season could prove to be the most logical solution as he provides competition and cover for the likes of Yusuf Maart and Sibongiseni Mthethwa, and in the event of Castillo answering the calls from abroad.
Meanwhile, Amakhosi are heading towards the end of that will go down in history as one of their worst seasons in the PSL era. The Soweto Giants find themselves in the unfamiliar battle for a spot in the top eight.
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