Money talks as Chiefs, Bucs, Downs vie for Mthethwa
As the deadline for the registration of players in South Africa’s elite division is scheduled to shut down at midnight on Friday, the jury is out on where Stellenbosch United’s wanted man, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, will be playing his football in the near future.
Expect frenetic activity at the PSL Parktown offices with additional news landing on the Siya crew’s desk that it is not only Kaizer Chiefs but several other clubs also salivating at the prospect of bringing the hard grafter to their respective camps.
Soccer Laduma understands that in addition to Amakhosi, archrivals Orlando Pirates, big-spending Mamelodi Sundowns, ambitious AmaZulu FC and a Scandinavian side have all shown a desire to add Mthethwa to their roster.
Stellies head coach Steve Barker has expressed his unhappiness about the prospect of losing his prized possession. However, it is a fact that football is business and it will depend on his club management’s resolve when the teams drop their different bids on the table.
The Glamour Boys have, for their part, already tabled a reported R8 million, which has allegedly been turned down by the Winelands side, who are desperate to hold on to the midfield ace known in football circles as ‘Ox’.
This publication has also been notified that behind the scenes, the Buccaneers have been working round the clock to also lure the combative Mthethwa to the Sea Robbers ship and have, in fact, looked in pole position to land the player’s signature.
According to Siya sources, the Brazilians have also come into the picture and are working towards pushing the deal over the line. Although they have adequate cover in central midfield, Mthethwa is seen as someone who could bring the physicality required when the team competes in both the African Football League and CAF Champions League.
As per the unpredictable nature of the transfer window, especially in the last 48 hours before it slams shut, anything is possible, meaning Mthethwa could find himself at any of the Big Three sides, or Stellies could pull out all the stops