Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Tsepo Masilela has revealed how a solid offer by Mamelodi Sundowns was sensationally rejected by the chairman of one of his former clubs.
Masilela made his name at Benoni Premier United while they were still campaigning in the National First Division and, after just one season following their promotion to the top-flight in 2005/06, started to attract offers from more established clubs, including Sundowns.
The former Bafana Bafana left back had also caught the attention of the national team after making his debut that same season.
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The 38-year-old has had an illustrious career abroad having started in Israel for Maccabi Haifa, where he stayed for five seasons, including a loan spell at LaLiga outfit Getafe.
However, Masilela has revealed that if it were not for his former and late chairman at Benoni Premier United, Dumisani Ndlovu's persistence to move him overseas, he would have signed for the Brazilians at the end of their first campaign in the PSL.
"Before my move (to Maccabi Haifa), I was with Benoni Premier United. the team gets sold, it's gonna move to Durban, (as) part of the package they are selling the players, excluding me and July Mahlangu. Maybe we were the two favourites," Masilela told 947's MSW.
"I was with Benoni Premier United five or six years before it got sold, so when I heard of the deal, this is happening, they are selling the team, excluding me and July... mind you before the end of the season, (as) it was our first season after getting promotion.
"Towards the end of the season, I started getting offers. So, I had a solid offer from Sundowns and they spoke to the chairman of the team. He gave his blessings, negotiations started, but the season was not done.
"So, once we were safe, because we were fighting relegation, Ndlovu told me, 'No, I'm not selling.' Ha, ha, he said, 'I want you to go play overseas, I'd love to see you play outside South Africa. So, until I see there's nothing, I've tried everything to get a move for you and maybe we can entertain Sundowns talks'."
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Masilela eventually signed for Maccabi Haifa and, after five seasons there, was signed by Chiefs in August 2012, where he was part of the last generation to win trophies at the club under Stuart Baxter.
His move to Israel paved the way for the likes of Bernard Parker, who signed for Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade from Benoni, two years after Masilela's departure.
Ironically, Parker also joined the Soweto giants after a two-and-a-half-year spell in Europe, although a year before Masilela.
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