Chiefs’ Hlanti concerns?

Kaizer Chiefs are concerned about defender Sifiso Hlanti’s injury situation and whether the player will be able to contribute to the team, with age no longer on his side, this according to sources in the know.

Hlanti joined Chiefs in July and was seen as one of their marquee signings as the Soweto giants were finally allowed to sign players following their two-window FIFA transfer ban.

The experienced player’s move to Amakhosi had been delayed by a season due to the transfer ban, which resulted in him spending the 2020/21 season at Swallows FC while waiting to move to Naturena.

While the Durban-born player’s talent cannot be questioned, recognised as one of the best left backs in Mzansi, his injury history is somewhat of a concern after being unfortunate with long-term injuries in recent seasons.

The Bafana Bafana international is currently out injured and expected to miss the remainder of the 2021/22 season due to the Achilles tendon injury he suffered at training in November last year, which forced him to undergo surgery.

The injury left coach Stuart Baxter short of options at left back after the club parted ways with Philani Zulu and Yagan Sasman at the end of last season, while holding onto the 25-year-old Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, who had initially been transfer-listed.

With only seven starts to his name, as a high-profile player, a lot was expected from Hlanti following his arrival at Naturena, but injury has hampered his progress.

At 31 and currently on the road to recovery, which could take up to five months, concerns have been raised about the club’s return on investment in the player, who is believed to one of the Glamour Boys’ high earners.

Hlanti’s contract with the club runs until June 2023, which means that he will be hoping for a speedy recovery, putting Chiefs’ concerns to rest.