Chiefs-bound Sithebe opens up on AmaZulu

Chiefs-bound Sithebe opens up on AmaZulu: BackpagePix

Siyethemba Sithebe finally breaks silence over Kaizer Chiefs move!

Former AmaZulu midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe has opened up about his controversial move to Kaizer Chiefs, for the first time.

Chiefs-bound Sithebe opens up on AmaZulu

Chiefs-bound Sithebe opens up on AmaZulu: BackpagePix

Former AmaZulu midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe has opened up about his controversial move to Kaizer Chiefs, for the first time.

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Sithebe signed a pre-contract with Chiefs in January, but remained with AmaZulu where he was frozen out, for the remainder of the season. 

Sithebe was expected to leave in January

It was originally considered that the player was going to be unveiled by Chiefs during the January transfer window. However, the deal began to seem a lot more complicated than many would’ve first thought, with Amazulu digging their heels. Even though Amazulu chairman Sandile Zungu did go on to admit defeat in renewing Sithebe’s deal, he appeared determined not to let the player go. 

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That is where Chiefs then started to become creative over how they plan to lure Sithebe to the club six-months earlier, having reportedly concluded the pre-contract agreement. Zungu then confirmed rumours that the Glamour Boys had, indeed offered Amazulu two players in exchange for the midfielder’s early release. However, Zungu made no secret of his discontent at the quality of the players Chiefs had offered, going on to call them “rejects” on a public platform. 

AmaZulu social media war with Chiefs

Furthermore, Amazulu continued their public calling out of Chiefs, stating that they had “jumped the gun” in their pursuit of Sithebe. According to Zungu, Amakhosi had concluded a deal with the Bafana Bafana midfielder at the beginning of December already, whereas the player was only legally allowed to negotiate with other interested clubs from January onwards. 

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Now, however, the Sithebe saga is set to come to an end, as AmaZulu formally announced his release last week. Now the player has finally broken his silence on his move to Chiefs, as well as the challenges of his last few months at Usuthu. 

Opens up on Amakhosi move

“It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” Sithebe told Sun Sport when quizzed about joining Chiefs. 

“AmaZulu was like home to me and what they did was huge. I am where I am because of them and for that, I just want to thank them. As payers, we also have our dreams and we have to make them become reality.We also have to move on as we have things we want to achieve. But the club gave me love as my life changed. I went to play for Bafana Bafana and that is because of Usuthu and my profile is better now.” Sithebe continued.

Affects of being frozen out at Usuthu

Sithebe then spoke about being frozen out at AmaZulu following his failed move. 

“It did affect me because I was someone who was used to playing, But sometimes such things happen in football. I knew the reasons behind it and my heart was clean, happy and motivating other players and wishing them the best all the time.” Sithebe concluded.

The 29-year-old Sithebe is expected to be unveiled by Chiefs before July 1 when teams can begin registering new players.