While Kaizer Chiefs' hierarchy tie the final loose ends on the appointment of a new coach, KickOff takes a look on at least five players at the club whose future remains up in the air.
Following a dreadful campaign that saw them end the season in an embarrassing 10th spot – their lowest league finish in the PSL era – Amakhosi are expected to make major changes ahead of the new season.
While the big wait is still on for a new head coach, with Chiefs' hierarchy still in talks with Tunisian mentor Nasreddine Nabi, the future of several players remains anyone's guess. The following are some of them...
Njabulo Ngcobo
KickOff reported in March that the 28-year-old is one of the expected departures pending at The Village with his contract coming to an end in June.
Signed from Swallows FC (now Moroka Swallows) after a standout campaign that earned him the DStv Premiership Defender of the Season award, Ngcobo has struggled to replicate his form in the famous Gold and Black colours, making 15 appearances in his first season, and 14 in his second.
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The arrivals of Given Msimango and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe at the start of the season made it vividly clear that he was not considered a key player in the squad.
SABC Sport reports that Ngcobo has already opened talks with Sekhukhune United ahead of the move.
Sifiso Hlanti
Like Itumeleng Khune, the veteran defender is on the wrong side of 30 and with his current deal expiring at the end of June, he is one of the players whose future remains unclear.
Hlanti's initial deal with the Glamour Boys expired at end of the 2022/23 season, before the club extended it for one more season. It is not expected that they will extend it again, meaning the player could be facing the exit door.
A major concern for Chiefs, though, will be the fact there does not appear to be a ready replacement for Hlanti and the club would have to go into the market to secure a left back. Hlanti made 24 appearances this past season and was among the most-used players in the squad, in the absence of a better option.
Siyethemba Sithebe
Another player whose contract is set to expire at the end of June. The industrial midfielder has endured a difficult time since joining Amakhosi and struggled to match the form that made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in the country.
Such were his struggles that he made just one appearance in the first 10 matches of the campaign.
However, Sithebe pulled up his socks and climbed the ladder, securing a starting berth towards the end of the season.
KickOff reported in mid-May that insiders have indicated that the dreadlocked star had done enough towards the end of the season to sway the decision of the club's hierarchy in his favour and earn a renewed deal.
That notion appears to have gained momentum with Sithebe's agent confirming to The Citizen that Chiefs have indeed opened talks with the midfielder over a new contract.
Although nothing has been agreed, it is expected that he will be staying on.
Itumeleng Khune
The legendary shot-stopper has entered that final month of what the Soweto giants claimed would be his 'last contract as a player' at the club. Chiefs are understood to have lined up a role for Khune within the structures.
However, in various interviews, Khune has insisted that he still intends to continue as a player and is set for showdown talks with the club's management.
The 36-year-old's future will also be reliant on the new coach. Meanwhile, Amakhosi have renewed the contracts of goalkeepers Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Petersen. Makes you wonder.
Keagan Dolly
The former Montpellier attacker has endured a season riddled with injuries, which has been one of the factors that have cast doubt over his future, with him being one of the club's high earners.
With his current deal expiring in June, Dolly is one of the players whose future is in doubt. The scenario is reminiscent of Khama Billiat, who opted against agreeing to a new deal after a pay cut was suggested.
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With all his experience, and still just 31, the pint-sized attacker is expected to be offered a new deal... however, with a significant financial cut.
It remains to be seen if both club and player will agree to a new contract, with several DStv Premiership outfits keeping tabs on the situation.
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