It was June when Kaizer Chiefs released Siyethemba Sithebe. The Newcastle-born midfielder has started over at Richards Bay.
KAIZER CHIEFS RELEASE SITHEBE
“Siyethemba Sithebe has left after two seasons, during which he appeared 39 times in the Gold & Black colours of Amakhosi,” the club announced on 29 June.
The 31-year-old Sithebe later sent his parting message via Instagram. “Ngidlulise ukubonga ku Khosi nation. Ithuba engilitholile ayi isandla sidlula ikhanda. Wish you the best season and future. [I pass my gratitude to the Kaizer Chiefs nation. Representing the club was an unbelievable opportunity.]
Additionally, the former AmaZulu number six also took some time to reveal more feelings about his Kaizer Chiefs exit, saying it was rather shocking and disappointing.
“What I can say is that I was playing back from injury,” Sithebe said as cited by IOL.
“And when I spoke with the Director before I went home, he said we’d talk, and then I came back to negotiate. So, it was between two things: negotiating for another season or a new contract,” the 31-year-old said.
“I think they made a decision not to renew, obviously. But as a player, you might be shocked, like I wasn’t expecting this, but it’s football,” the former Mbombela United star added.
OPTIONS BEFORE NATAL RICH BOYS CHOICE
According to FARPost, Magesi FC and Sekhukhune United were interested but the former Kaizer Chiefs star felt Richards Bay had the right project.
“When I signed for Richards Bay, I had options but I signed there because I saw that they have young boys and I need to help them to achieve something,” Sithebe told FARPost.
“Last season the team was fighting relegation, so we need to collect more points early to avoid the same situation.
“From my side before joining Richards Bay, I can say there were negotiations with other teams and it was my agent who was negotiating with those teams.
“So we spoke to Sekhukhune and Magesi that just came in [the SA’s top-flight]. That’s why I say it was the agent who was negotiating and I get feedback from there.
“But I can say that I came to Richards Bay because they are close to home and I thought it will be easy for me to adapt,’ Sithebe concluded.
CUFA CUP AGAINST MARUMO GALLANTS
Meanwhile, Amakhosi have announced that the team will be playing some football in the CUFA Cup in Bloemfontein against Marumo Gallants during the FIFA International break.
FULL STATEMENT:
“With the FIFA International break coming up from 7 to 15 October, Kaizer Chiefs will participate in a friendly match under the Cufa Cup banner, scheduled to take place in Bloemfontein on 13 October where they will face Marumo Gallants,” Kaizer Chiefs said.
“The match is part of the big Cultural Urban Festival Africa which was launched at Naval hill in the City of Roses this morning and will take place from 3 October until 13 October, with music, arts and cultural events scheduled to take place in Mangaung.
“With the team experiencing a 20-day break from competitive action, coach Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team will use the match to give players some game time and ensure that they are match-ready when the team play their next league match on the weekend of 18 October.
“Speaking at the launch today attended by government officials, artists, organisers and other dignitaries, Kaizer Chiefs winger Tebogo Potsane expressed the delight at participating in the one-day match that attracts people from all walks of life in South Africa and neighbouring countries.
“As someone from Bloemfontein, I am honoured to be back home to attend the launch of Cufa Cup. We are really looking forward to coming back to Bloemfontein for a third time in 10 weeks. We played in front of capacity crowds against Young Africans on 28 July in the Toyota Cup and faced Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership on 14 September, and supporters did not disappoint again when they filled up the Toyota stadium once more. We know people of Mangaung love football, and we look forward to another sold-out crowd when we return on 13 October,” he said.
“Tickets for the Cufa Cup between Marumo Gallants and the Glamour Boys are on sale at TicketPro outlets, including Spar supermarkets, Boxer and various filling stations at R75 for open stands and R95 for the grandstand.
“The match will kick off at 15:00 at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 13 October,” Kaizer Chiefs concluded.
