‘Disappointed’ SuperSport will make Chiefs wait for Ditlhokwe

*This is an updated article on Ditlhokwe’s move to Chiefs

In the second of two big announcements last week, Chiefs confirmed the signing of a pre-contract in securing the acquisition of left-sided centre-back, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, from SuperSport United.

The highly rated international who captains Botswana’s national team has penned a four-year contract and will arrive to begin his life in Naturena in July 2023.

It was suggested that if Chiefs are willing to pay a fee, though, he could arrive in the near future. Yet that will depend on both clubs agreeing on his early release. With this in mind, though, leading SABC Sport journalist Mazola Molefe – who first broke the news of this shock move – later reported that the SuperSport bosses were irked by Chiefs’ unusual and “premature” announcement of a pre-contract deal.

It’s said that this could scupper any further talks of ensuring an early release for Ditlhokwe, who may only head to Naturena later this year.

It seems SuperSport have now officially ruled out any possibility of releasing the defender during this window, particularly as they felt the timing of the announcement was premature and poorly timed just before their game against Sundowns on 16 January (which they lost 1-0).

“He is going to stay with SuperSport United until the end of the season,” a source told Soccer Laduma. “We are deeply disappointed with the way Kaizer Chiefs handled this issue and how they announced the signing of the player before a crucial match against Mamelodi Sundowns.”

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SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt has also spoken briefly about his feeling on losing a player of such calibre.

“Obviously, I am very upset about ‘TT’ leaving because this should never happen. I wasn’t here, you know. But I know what should have happened and didn’t happen – you are losing a player that is 24 and he will only be at his best at 30 because he is a centre-back,” said Hunt during his post-match conference. “They (centre-backs) improve as they get older. He has improved immensely in this first round (of the season) since I’ve been here.”

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Chiefs revealed another big signing last week

Congolese 22-year-old left-footed striker Christian Saile Basomboli has penned a three and half year deal with the Glamour Boys. However, he is only expected to start training fully with his new Chiefs teammates this week, while it’s understood that his work permits also need to be sorted out first before becoming available to play.

It means there could be a waiting game of at least a few weeks before Basomboli makes his highly-anticipated Chiefs debut.

Nevertheless, the abilities of the youngster, as well as what he offers with his left-footed abilities, will certainly serve to excite Amakhosi fans.

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