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Escape route wait for Chiefs defender

With all now looking gloomy for him at Kaizer Chiefs, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe will spend the rest of the year counting the days towards his escape route from Naturena.

Ditlhokwe has found himself pushed backwards in the queue for game-time following the arrival of Rushwin Dortley and Bradley Cross.

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The fact that Chiefs went into the market to strengthen in the two positions that the Botswana captain plays was the clearest indication of what stood ahead of him.

It has been no surprise that he hasn't been involved in the three matches played by the team so far this season.

Amakhosi still have the pair of Edmilson Dove and Bongani Sam, plus Aiden McCarthy and Happy Mashiane, as left footers who can play either left-back or central defence.

With such developments, Ditlhokwe needs to move and will have that opportunity come the next transfer window in January.

Dortley has broken into the Bafana Bafana squad and will not make way until he is forced by injury or suspension, leaving the former SuperSport United man as a mere cover option, yet he is an international.

Cross has settled with ease on the left.

There was talk that Ditlhokwe would go away on loan before the close of the window on September 20, but all that failed.

Magesi FC and Chippa United were mentioned.

The 26-year-old is taking up one of five foreign spots along Fiacre Ntwari (Rwanda), Inacio Miguel (Angola), Christian Saile Basomboli (DR Congo) and Edson Castillo (Venezuela). 

Chiefs have at least eight games to play before January.

At the other end, Ditlhokwe has an international career to consider as The Zebras captain.

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Botswana have called him up for their next set of AFCON qualifiers in Group C against Cape Verde in Praia on October 10, before the return leg in Francistown five days later.

They lost their opening matches in the group against Mauritania and Egypt. 

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