Chiefs to embark on a radical player overhaul
A source in the Kaizer Chiefs camp has revealed to this paper that big-name players with huge salaries will be shipped out in order to create space and cut the huge wage bill at the club. According to the source, the management is looking at rebuilding the team with youngsters and quality players that will help the club get back to being a championship-winning side. “People are going to be shocked, we know that Tsepo Masilela (below) is one of the guys leaving the club. I heard Bernard Parker might also be leaving. These are some of the players that earn a huge salary at Chiefs but now age is not on their side and they cost the club way too much money,” said the source.
Beer Cup canned
A source has revealed to Phakaaathi that the pre-season Carling Black Label Cup between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will not take place this season. According to the source, this year’s World Cup in Russia is the main reason why the game won’t take place. “It is true … there is no real time for planning the Black Label Cup. But, they have assured everybody it will come back next year. “I mean, it is unfortunate because they know the supporters look forward to it every year, but it will be back next year. The clubs have been informed and they will make an alternative plan for their preparations for next season,” said the source.
Laffor on the move?
Phakaaathi has it on good authority that Mamelodi Sundowns winger Anthony Laffor (above) wants to leave the Chloorkopbased side. This comes after his relationship with coach Pitso Mosimane allegedly turned sour in recent years. Laffor, a fan favourite for the recently crowned Absa Premiership champions, is earmarked for a move to Gavin Hunt’s Bidvest Wits or Kaizer Chiefs.
Bonanza for players
Free State Stars bosses are said to have promised their players big bonuses if they go on and lift the Nedbank Cup trophy when they take on Maritzburg United on May 19 at the Cape Town Stadium. According to the source, club chairman Mike Mokoena (above) held a long talk with his players, congratulating them for their achievement and promised to make them happy if they went on to win the Ke Yona Cup. “You have to understand where the boss is coming from, the club were on the verge on being and relegated in the last couple of years and what the players have achieved so far is huge. Everyone is happy and the people of Bethlehem are very proud of their team. The players have been promised huge sums of money and you should understand that to most of the players, it will be their first time playing in a cup final, so they are motivated by that and the money,” said a source.
Kermit praises Lens
Former Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus (below) offered congratulations to another of his former sides, RC Lens, after they managed to survive relegation from France’s second tier this weekend. Erasmus spent the second half of the 2016/17 season on loan from Rennes and clearly has an affinity for the club. “Happy for @RCLens and their amazing supporters for maintaining their @DominosLigue2 status. It was a tough season for a great club but the fans kept supporting the beautiful colours of Blood and Gold through good and bad. #SangEtOr #Lens,” tweeted Erasmus, who was released by Rennes in February, is now at AFC Ekilstuna in the Swedish second division. He scored his first goal for his new club in a 2-0 win at Helsingborgs on April 24, but missed Monday’s 3-0 win at home to Degerfors.