Chiefs to send Mokoena out on loan?

With Kaizer Chiefs having established a team that can challenge for top honours this season, the club is expected to make more changes, with one of their academy products facing another loan spell.

After spending the 2021/22 campaign on loan with Pretoria Callies in the second tier, the Siya crew has been informed that defender Thabo Mokoena could be going on loan once again.

Mokoena was expected to follow the likes of Keletso Sifama and Darrel Matsheke, who are currently out on loan to Swallows FC, in another loan spell, but the club’s defensive conundrum at the time meant that the 22-yearold was retained by coach Arthur Zwane.

At the time, Amakhosi only had four centre-backs in Zitha Kwinika, Erick Mathoho, Siyabonga Ngezana and Austin Dube, which saw Mokoena act as a back-up to his senior counterparts.

However, with the late addition of Mozambican international Edmilson Dove, who has since established himself as the first-choice centre-back alongside Kwinika, Mokoena has found himself slipping further down the pecking order at the club.

He is yet to make an appearance this season.

Now, as the Naturena-based side look to secure more game-time for the youngster, another loan move could be on the cards for the centre-back in the January transfer window.

According to Siya sources, at this stage it is uncertain whether Mokoena would be going to a fellow DStv Premiership club or whether he will feature in the Motsepe Foundation Premiership.

The player penned a two-and-ahalf-year contract extension with seen as a key part of th ec lub’s future plans.

ates, although his progress has been derailed by injury in recent weeks. Lorch has made five appearances so far this season and has been sidelined since August after picking up an injury against SuperSport United.

While the extent of the player’s injury remains unknown, as the club has not yet issued an update, indications are that the Soweto giants could be open to transferring the player, should a suitable offer be tabled.

Recent reports in local media have suggested that there is interest in the Bafana Bafana attacker from Mamelodi Sundowns, and it’s not the first time that the Brazilians have been linked to the player. During Pitso Mosimane’s time on the bench, Lorch was reportedly wanted by the Chloorkop-based outfit.

According to a source, Monnapule Saleng has now opened the door for Lorch’s exit, with indications that the Houghton-based outfit are open to offers.

“When Pirates signed Monnapule Saleng, he had been identified as a potential replacement for Lorch. There has been no doubt about his quality, but he was loaned for the first season just to allow him to get experience and to get him ready to play for a big club like Pirates.

“If you watched Swallows last season, he made the team go forward whenever he was on the field,” said the source.

“The plan had always been to introduce him gradually and now that he has been given his chance, he has grabbed it with both hands and is showing everyone that he is not at the club to add the numbers but is also a star.

“He has got age on his side and the club has an option on his contract. So, yeah, the possibility of him replacing Lorch in future was discussed when Saleng was signed,” the source added.