With Mamelodi Sundowns veteran Themba Zwane's contract expiring soon, a potential move to rivals Kaizer Chiefs may not be easy to conclude. Here's why...
Zwane, currently injured, was offered only a one-year contract extension late in the previous off-season, with his future at the perennial champions hanging by a thread.
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His lack of game-time in the current campaign, largely due to injury, could affect his chances of getting a new deal at Chloorkop, especially at 35, with Sporting Director Flemming Berg notorious for taking unpopular decisions.
Given that most Sundowns stars in recent years end up joining Chiefs after being out of contract at Chloorkop, with Gaston Sirino the latest, Zwane's potential move to Naturena at the end of the season may not be far from the realm of possibility.
However, with 'Mshishi' a major ambassador of sports and clothing brand Puma since 2012, getting that deal could require more negotiations than with a regular player, as Amakhosi prefer owning image rights of players.
Former winger George Lebese has revealed that he was once fined by the Soweto giants for wearing Puma boots while Nike was still their technical sponsor.
"My issue was (that) Kaizer Chiefs was sponsored by Nike. At an early age, I was also contracted to Nike, but the contract ended and I struggled for boots, then Puma said: 'Come this side'," Lebese said on 947's MSW.
"You have to understand it's difficult with Chiefs to switch to another brand. They told me to bring a contract from Puma and see if Nike can't match it and if Nike can't match it, you're free to go.
"I did that, went to the office, was not responded (to) until it got to a Carling Black Label match and you know how many people tune on that game and I just surprised everyone with Puma boots.
"I remember Jessica (Motaung), in the change room, looking at me like: 'Why is he wearing that?' Bobby (Motaung) said: 'Leave him, we'll deal with him after'. I played with Puma boots, I got fined (by Chiefs) but went to Puma and they reimbursed me," he went on.
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A year ago, Chippa United midfielder Andile Jali revealed that he declined a contract offer from Chiefs when he returned from Belgium as they wanted to own all his image rights, something that did not sit well with him and he chose Sundowns instead.
Zwane could still feature for Sundowns at the 2025 Club World Cup, with FIFA having made a provision for clubs participating at the global tournament to offer out-of-contract players short-term deals for the duration of the campaign (June-July) in the USA.