The gloomy weather in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning was the definition of what Bongani Sam has had to put up with for exactly 16 months.
While he has the comforts of a contract at Kaizer Chiefs, the reality is that his career is still not out of the woods.
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Sam was a surprise signing by the Naturena-based outfit at the beginning of the season and for several reasons, which have included injury and non-selection, he hasn’t come close to playing.
Of all the signings made by the club this season, who have included Bradley Cross, Thabo Cele, Inacio Miguel, Gaston Sirino, Glody Makabi Lilepo, Rushwin Dortley, Fiacre Ntwari, and Njabulo Blom, he is the only one yet to play.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, meant it is now exactly 16 months since he last played competitive.
That appearance came while he was on loan at Moroka Swallows against Royal AM when he was pulled out late in the game due to injury.
Since then, he moved back to his then parent club Orlando Pirates for six months, before his shock move to Amakhosi, which came with a three-year deal plus an optional year.
The club are yet to reap any rewards from the 27-year-old, who they have been paying monthly while taking care of his medical bills.
Sam arrived at Chiefs with question marks on his head based on what he had done in the five years that he was in the Pirates books.
At Bucs, he only played seven games from start to finish and was featured in patches in another 21, before spending loan time at Maritzburg United and Moroka Swallows.
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Chiefs have used Bradley Cross, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Happy Mashiane, and Edmilson Dove at left-back, which is Sam’s primary position.
The January transfer window came with a proposed loan option to Magesi FC, which ultimately failed.
