Contract Issues at Chiefs

It is no secrete that there are contract issues at Kaizer Chiefs, with a number of their star players yet to agree to new terms. The likes of Itumeleng Khune, Mandla Masango, including captain Tefu Mashamaite all yet to agree to new terms.

Itumeleng Khune was seen yesterday greeting fans in the match between Chiefs and Bidvest Wits, with some media outlets suggesting that it could be his last goodbye. Earlier this year, Stuart Baxter said Chiefs can be able to live without Itumeleng "Itu" Khune now as they believe they have enough cover in the goalkeeping department, Brilliant Khuzwayo and Reyaard Pieterse having done well when called upon. When Baxter was asked about Khune by the media, he had this to say;
I’m not privy to the status of negotiations if they’re ongoing. My information is that there’s no impasse in the negotiations, that they’re still cordial, and that both parties are trying to find a solution.
and he concluded by saying;
“I can’t tell you if he’s staying or going, because I don’t know if he’s staying or going. I know that it’s an ongoing process and that he’s training hard, showing a very good attitude, and that I’m happy to have him in the squad.”

In the Tefu Mashamaite story, The Kaizer Chiefs captain will be a free agent in just under two months something that would not sit well with the Kaizer Chiefs captain and the Amakhosi faithful. Tefu has played a pivotal role in the Chiefs campaign and helping the side get back to winning ways, claiming the both the MTN8 cup and the Championship. History shows that Chiefs captains are not lucky luring new lucrative contracts in the sides when their current contracts ended, Patrick Mabedi, Cryil Nzama, Fabian McCarthy, Tinashe Nengomasha and recently Jimmy Tau all left when they all captains and no one expected them to leave considering their input in the season prior. Now the question on everyone's lips will be, could history repeat itself on the current Chiefs captain?

Mandla Masango showed his qualities this season, contributing an impressive 6 goals, but he was at his best during the first half of the season.  Masango didn't really live up to his form, maybe due to a lot of matches played in Bafana Bafana and at Chiefs or maybe the contract issues did affect his game on the field. The Chiefs winger known for his blistering pace and skill is an international player and features regularly on the National team and is part of the "vision 2020" set by Coach Shakes Mashaba, all this and more could be the reason why Chiefs and Masango are not agreeing on the new contract.

Kaizer Chiefs have already indicated that they will not be extending the contracts of Josta Dladla and Siyabonga Nkosi.

Kaizer Chiefs are not knowing for big spending, so only time will tell if whether they will afford to keep these star players, but having grossed around R19,5 Million this year it should not be hard to. Otherwise coach Baxter could be faced with a tough job next season, having to rebuild from scratch a team that has won him a 2 league tittles in just under 3 seasons.