Edmilson Dove and Edson Castillo scored for Kaizer Chiefs against Sekhukhune United. Photo: @KaizerChiefs/Twitter
RUMOUR: Zamalek willing to meet R40 million price tag for Kaizer Chiefs star?
Too good to refuse?
Edmilson Dove and Edson Castillo scored for Kaizer Chiefs against Sekhukhune United. Photo: @KaizerChiefs/Twitter
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Edson Castillo is a wanted man.
Zamalek going all in for Venezuela star
According to Soccer-Laduma, Egyptian giants Zamalek are serious about making a move for 29-year-old Venezuela midfielder Edson Castillo. Chiefs have previously insisted that they won’t let their star schemer go for anything less than R40 million.
“It looks like Zamalek is very serious about Edson (Castillo). At first, it was just monitoring and inquiring, but now it’s believed that they have contacted Chiefs to talk about the possible move. But yet, there has been contact from Zamalek. Now it’s all up to Chiefs to make a decision.” said the source.
Castillo faced the Champions of Europe
Venezuela played two friendlies in the USA this past week. Venezuela is now ranked 52nd in the world according to FIFA, down from 50th. Castillo was a 78th-minute substitute against European champions Italy, in a match which the Azzurri won 2-1. Arsenal midfielder Jorginho came off the bench to supply the winning goal for Genoa striker Mateo Retegui. Venezuela then faced Guatemala in a 0-0 stalemate, with the Chiefs midfielder not getting any minutes.
Kaizer Chiefs face midfield crisis
Both Castillo and Yusuf Maart, Chiefs’ regular central midfield pairing, are suspended for their clash at Cape Town City on Saturday. The Citizens host the Glamour Boys at Athlone Stadium. Kickoff is at 15:30.
BABINA NOKO ARE DINING AT THE TOP TABLE
Since promotion to the top tier as recently as 2021/22, Sekhukhune has become an established DStv Premiership team. They finished 11th in their first-ever campaign and followed it up with a creditable 7th place last season, finishing below Stellenbosch only on goal difference. Babina Noko also got to the Nedbank Cup final last term. They now occupy seventh but have a game in hand and could climb the table with a win against Orlando Pirates. Whether they can hold onto star names like Bafana winger Elias Mokwana is another matter. If he does move onto one of Mzansi’s ‘Big Three’ clubs, it’ll be a harsh lesson for Sekhukhune that success often comes at a price and there’s a clear hierarchy in the footballing ecosystem. Lehlohonolo Seema wasn’t there from the start but his appointment underlines the club’s ambition and prudent vision in spotting managerial market gems.
Could he be an outsider for the top job at Naturena? We’ve got an opinion on that.
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