Why Chiefs may wait 11 months for Mlambo…

Xola Mlambo’s absence from Orlando Pirates’ starting line-up over the past two months has raised questions about the fan-favourite’s future at the club. And the Siya crew has been well-informed that Kaizer Chiefs silently are monitoring his situation. According to insiders, it’s not the first time that Amakhosi have shown an interest in his signature, though with his contract set to run until 2021, Chiefs may have to bide their time. This is a big name player and on big wages. That tells you something. Why is he not playing - is it a signal that he is not in Orlando Pirates’ plans? A new coach has come in, and Mlambo is still not seeing any game time. The Siya crew looks into it…

What the Siya crew has been told…

Orlando Pirates expressed their full confidence in Xola Mlambo when they signed him from Bidvest Wits two years ago. Mlambo seemed to walk straight into the starting XI! Now, in January of 2020, Siya sources have indicated to the crew that Mlambo is in a bubble of confusion regarding his lack of game-time at the club. He has come nowhere near the matchday squad since November 26 last year.

That is an alarming two months of no football, except at the club’s training grounds! Even the arrival of new coach Josef Zinnbauer doesn’t appear to have played in his favour. The Siya crew has been informed that the player, like all top professional footballers, wants regular game-time and that he would welcome a move elsewhere if he is not afforded that at Pirates.

And if he was to move on, indications are that Kaizer Chiefs would be keen on welcoming him to Naturena.

The insiders have explained that Chiefs have remained admirers of Mlambo, despite his move to Pirates in 2018. Though, while Chiefs are keen on the player, the Siya crew has not been informed of any formal talks between the two clubs regarding a potential switch. In addition, the Siya sources have emphasised that it would take some high-level discussions between the Chiefs and Pirates hierarchies to do a deal while he is still under contract.

The possibility of that floor-crossing, from one Soweto giant to the other, could be complicated while the player is under contract. Terms, and most notably the financial terms, would have to be agreed to by all three parties involved – the player, the selling club and the buying club.

That floor-crossing, however, could become a reality if Pirates allow Mlambo’s contract to run out next season and his status is that of a free agent on June 30, 2021. Chiefs could position themselves for that scenario in just over 11 months’ time, once Mlambo enters into the final six months of his contract. That will be in January of 2021, where the player will be free to sign a pre-contract with any interested suitors.

But it would mean Amakhosi would also be involved in a scramble for his signature with the possible likes of SuperSport United, and maybe even Mamelodi Sundowns, entering the fray, given that there would be no transfer fee required!

Insiders have suggested his former employers, Wits, would not be considered given how Mlambo left the Clever Boys two years ago. Coach Gavin Hunt suggested that bridges were burnt at the time the midfielder moved on to Pirates. At the time, Hunt said that he was upset with the player after he did not say goodbye. The comments were on the back of the player and club, seemingly, not seeing eye-toeye.

However, in assessing his immediate future, sources close to the situation have ruled out a move before this month’s transfer window slams shut on Friday, but if Zinnbauer continues to overlook Mlambo until the end of the campaign, a move away from the Buccaneers could happen before 2021 - while under contract. But that would be on Pirates’ terms, with the club sanctioning a transfer.