TTM TO OPEN TIMM TALKS

The Siya crew has established that Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC are looking to offer midfielder Miguel Timm a new contract and, in turn, fend off interest from some of the country’s biggest clubs.

As reported by the crew last month, Timm has attracted the interest of some of the big clubs in Gauteng, who are keen to lure the 29-year-old away from Polokwane next season.

Following the interest, the crew has learnt that TTM are not keen on parting ways with their midfielder and, according to Siya sources, are set to open talks with the player over a new deal.

Timm has been a vital part of the TTM side this season and has featured regularly under coach Joel Masutha as well as Dylan Kerr, making 20 appearances in all competitions. In addition, the midfielder recently helped the PSL rookies win their first piece of silverware in the topflight, clinching the Nedbank Cup thanks to a 1-0 victory over Chippa United.

According to information made available to the crew, Timm has one year left to run on his current contract, which expires in June 2022. And with talks set to open, the club is keen to extend his stay beyond next year.

The crew understands that a large part of the player’s decision will depend on whether TTM, who currently sit in 14th place on the DStv log standings, manage to retain their top-flight status this season, with the player believed not to be keen on playing in the country’s second tier at this point in his career.

RAKHALE AWARDED PSL DRC CASE AGAINST CHIPPA

Nedbank Cup winner Thabo Rakhale has more than one reason to celebrate after being awarded his PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber case against his former club Chippa United.

Rakhale had taken the Eastern Cape-based outfit to the PSL’s DRC in an attempt to get the R250 000 he is allegedly owed by the club for alleged unpaid signing-on fees.

The skillful player was on the Chilli Boys’ books from January 2018 to June last year, having joined the club from Orlando Pirates. Although the winger went on to join Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC in November, there have been outstanding issues between him and his former employers from Gqeberha regarding his payment.

According to Siya sources, the 31-year-old has won the matter and it has been decided that the money will be deducted from the club’s monthly grant from the League if the club fails to pay.

“Thabo Rakhale has won his case against Chippa United. He was owed R250 000 in signing-on fees from when he joined the club from Pirates in 2018. The matter was heard at the PSL DRC and it’s been said that the money will be deducted from the club’s monthly grant from the League if Chippa doesn’t pay,” said a source.

Contacted for comment, Chippa’s communications officer Sisa Majola claimed to have no knowledge about the matter, though he promised to investigate it. “I have no idea on this. I’ll check internally,” he said.

MATSHITSE ASSESSING HIS OPTIONS

Former Moroka Swallows and

Kaizer Chiefs defender Peter Matshitse is assessing his options for a coaching role in the professional ranks next season.

Following his retirement from playing professional football in 2006, following a spell at Jomo Cosmos, Matshitse went on to equip himself by completing a coaching course through the South African Football Association.

However, due to his other commitments in recent months, the former centre-back had not been able to get his new career underway.

Speaking to the Siya crew, Matshitse confirmed that he is looking for opportunities to coach either in the DStv Premiership or GladAfrica Championship for next season.

“I am looking for opportunities to coach in the PSL next season. I have a SAFA Level 1 coaching course, and I feel that I am now ready,” he said.

“I have been coaching in the amateur ranks and I feel that now is the right time to get into the professional ranks. I am a hard worker and everything that has got to do with football and coaching excites me and I am just waiting for my big break,” added Matshitse.

SITHOLE LEAVES FSS AFTER THREE DECADES

After more than three decades with Free State Stars, Themba Sithole has parted ways with the club, having accepted a new job at promotion-chasing Sekhukhune United.

Sithole had been with the Bethlehem-based outfit since 1989, having first joined the club as a player when they were still known as Fairway Stars. Since retiring from playing professional football, Sithole has served as a dedicated technical team member in different roles at the Free State club.

Prominent football agent Ratshibvumo Mulovhedzi has confirmed the new role for the coach, who holds a CAF B coaching licence, among other qualifications.

“I am over the moon that I am the one who has got coach Themba Sithole the lucrative deal that he has got at Sekhukhune United. Me and him come a very long way and I remember in one of our first interactions for business purposes, he was the one who gave Justice Chabalala and Nyiko Mobbie a chance to break into professional football with Free State Stars. I had done trials in Venda and invited Themba to come and scout and he was impressed with the two boys. Themba was also involved in the discovery of Sello Japhta, who was also signed by Stars and later moved to Orlando Pirates,” said Mulovhedzi.

“I would like to thank the chairman of Sekhukhune United, Mr Simon Malatji, and club CEO Jonas Malatji for putting their trust in coach Themba to do the scouting for the club locally and abroad. It wasn’t an easy decision to make for Themba as he had been with Stars for more than 31 years and had made the club his home. I would like to apologise to Stars for having taken one of their most trusted employees of many years to a different club, but it was time for him to move on,” added the representative.

R.I.P., SHAUN OLIVE

The South African football fraternity has lost one of the brightest refereeing talents in Mzansi following the tragic passing of SAFA and FIFA Assistant Referee, Shaun Olive.

Olive sustained serious injuries after being involved in a freak motor accident in Mondeor, south of Johannesburg, on Tuesday 4 May and it was confirmed that he had succumbed to his injuries on Saturday 8 May.

Olive, who was named as the 2019/20 PSL Assistant Referee of the Season, at the time of his tragic passing had acted as a first assistant or a fourth official in over 40 matches in the both the DStv Premiership and GladAfrica Championship this season.

He has been described as a bubbly presence and amiable character and will be sorely missed in the refereeing community.

Soccer Laduma send our heartfelt condolences to Olive’s family, the refereeing community and the entire football fraternity.