Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa is facing an uncertain future at the club, as he appears not to be in Nasreddine Nabi's immediate plans ahead of the new season.
Chiefs somewhat succumbed to pressure from supporters to make a big signing last season, acquiring Mthethwa from Stellenbosch FC, who arrived with the campaign already underway on the eve of the transfer window slamming shut.
READ | Baroka chairman: I could see Mammila was lost
However, in spite of the hailed signing, 'Ox' presented the technical team with a dilemma in midfield, as he represents an old number six type, who sits in front of the defence with his main job being just to break up play.
His presence as a big-money signing, after the side reportedly paid around R10 million to trigger his release clause at Stellies, compromised how the Soweto giants played as they ended up being too defensive, with no creativity in the centre of the park.
Following the arrival of Nabi, one of the crucial things he has to fix at the club is the style of play, and with the Tunisian in favour of possession and attacking football, the midfielder's role at Amakhosi could become obsolete, especially after Njabulo Blom's return.
Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. has suggested that the number six role is a position that was under review, given the game model proposed by Nabi and the return of Blom, who plays box to box, was just a perfect timing.
"Since the technical staff began, we were very clear on the game model they want to set up, the style of play we wanna play and the kind of players required. So, from the onset, even before we went to Turkey, we were very aware of the positions we wanted to reinforce," Motaung Jr said on Newzroom Afrika.
"[Position] six was one where, given the style of play we wanted to inject into the team, it was quite pivotal and important for us. So, we had many players on our squad audit list and, of course, Njabulo was one who was there. We've always been monitoring Njabulo, he's always been part of the family.
"We've been following his time in the MLS, as it was anyway, and I think it's just a matter of great timing and, of course, he had a different direction he wanted to take in the MLS," Motaung Jr added.
READ | Dinha: Why Maela is leading from the bench
Soccer Laduma recently reported that Mthethwa is one of the players being considered for a loan move, with indications that he is not in Nabi's immediate plans.
In his first game in charge in the Toyota Cup, the former AS FAR Rabat mentor preferred Samkelo Zwane and Yusuf Maart in midfield, both of whom, in addition to Edson Castillo, appear to be ahead of Mthethwa in the pecking order of the anchormen at Chiefs.