Braga star Kobamelo Kodisang previously received an offer to join Chiefs. Image: @SaFootbalAbroad / Twitter
CONFIRMED: Chiefs did submit an offer for Kodisang
Chiefs did submit an offer for highly-regarded Kobamelo Kodisang, but ultimately this was not accepted by Braga SC.
Braga star Kobamelo Kodisang previously received an offer to join Chiefs. Image: @SaFootbalAbroad / Twitter
Kobamelo Kodisang has been widely linked with Kaizer Chiefs despite Portuguese outfit Braga SC having triggered a two-year extension option on the contract of the winger.
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There had been talk that Braga intended to move Kodisang out to the lower division, which is not an appealing prospect for the former Bidvest Wits playmaker who moved to Braga three years ago.
In a recent interview with GagasiFM, agent Mike Makaab further revealed that talks were being held between all parties, while confirming that Naturena could have been a possible destination, but that possibility then quickly faded away.
“The two clubs value the player differently, that is the case here. We cannot reach an agreement. The deal is deadlocked,” Makaab said.
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As it turns out, Kodisang will be leaving Braga SC, but won’t be heading to Chiefs. Instead, it’s reported that he will spend the 2022/23 season on loan at Portuguese Premier League club, Desportivo de Chaves, with an option then to make it a permanent move.
“Exclusive. Kobamelo Kodisang will be loaned to Desportivo de Chaves. Loan with option to buy,” SIC Notícias journalist Pedro Sepúlveda reported.
Makaab has now been quoted on the ever-popular Unplayable social media handle, stating that the inability for Chiefs and Braga to reach a deal was just one of those things that happen.
“Chiefs did submit an offer which was not accepted by Braga – the two clubs could not reach an agreement. Again, for the last time, no one is at fault. These things happen in football worldwide.”
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Who else is still on the radar of Chiefs?
Since last season concluded, Chiefs have dramatically overhauled their squad, and not only have several new players been welcomed to Naturena, but a number of others are also said to currently be on trial.
The club is currently in the market for at least one striker or two as replacements for the departed Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro.
Wayde Lekay was on trial at Amakhosi but apparently a deal won’t materialise. Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Sierra Leone international Musa Kamara have also reportedly been under assessment at Kaizer Chiefs.
Lesotho’s 23-year-old international Katleho Makateng is now the latest player to be linked to Amakhosi, as reported by Tiyani Mabasa’s Unplayable online source.
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So who is Makateng?
While it may not be a name familiar to many, it’s clear that he is a highly-talented youngster, as summarised below, according to Wikipedia.
Makateng began his career with local Pitseng side Litšilo FC of the second division. He signed for a club in the Lesotho Premier League for the first time before the 2020–21 season, joining Lesotho Defence Force FC. During his first season in the league, following the COVID-19 pandemic, he scored 20 goals to win the golden boot award and break the previous single-season goal record of 18 held by Mojela Letsie and Motebang Sera.
Following the season, he then received the Players’ Player of the Year, Young Player of the Season, and Player of the Season awards at the annual league award ceremony, in additional to the top scorer award.
Makateng was part of Lesotho’s under-20 squad that made it to the final of the 2017 COSAFA U-20 Cup before ultimately falling to South Africa. He made his senior international debut on 8 March 2022 in a warm-up friendly against Eswatini as part of preparation for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
He went on to appear in both of Lesotho’s Preliminary Round matches against the Seychelles and scored his first two senior international goals in the second fixture as Lesotho advanced to the Group Stage. Makteng was then named to Lesotho’s squad for the 2022 COSAFA Cup in July of that year. In Lesotho’s opening match he scored his country’s game-winning goal against Malawi in the 2–1 upset victory.
