After Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi responded to criticism over giving Themba Zwane only a one-year contract extension, KickOff sought a different perspective.
Mngqithi, when told, in an MTN8 quarter-final post match press conference, that supporters are criticizing Sundowns' decision to give Zwane only a one-year extension, said he felt "it's the right thing to do" and that everyone is entitled to their opinion.
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The 53-year-old reasoned they gave 'Mshishi' a one-year deal "to keep him on his toes" and that it does not necessarily mean the decorated star will leave after his contract expires.
KickOff spoke to an agent familiar with this kind of situation, to get a perspective on Mngqithi's comments and suggestions that giving Zwane a one-year deal "is the right thing to do".
"You see, when it comes to a player of Zwane's profile, his value is much more than [that of] his counterparts who are also in their 30s. I think as much as he says it's the right thing to do, to keep him on his toes, on the other side he's killing him," the experienced agent revealed, on condition of anonymity.
"Because for a player of Zwane's profile, it's not even about the age. Its about the value he brings to the team, the leadership quality he brings, the impact he has, as well as [the] loyalty he gave to Sundowns.
"They should have at least rewarded his loyalty if anything, because there are a lot of elements besides the fact that performance-wise he's on the other side of 30," the intermediary added.
"If you check Zwane's contribution to the national team, it's immense, he's one of the key players and then you give him one year? You're not appreciating him, his contribution and value. They might think it's the right thing to do, but for him individually, it raises question marks on how does Sundowns value me?
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"It also shows that the coach is doubtful about the contribution Zwane would bring. For someone of Zwane's calibre, what they did is unfair. Even if you're earmarking him for a role in the club's structures, you need to keep him motivated.
"At least give him a two-year contract with an option to renew for one year. For a player of such a high profile, I don't think it's the right thing to do, to only renew by one year."