Wits are now reportedly open to local offers for their star player Sibusiso Vilakazi. This comes after the proposed overseas moves have not materialised, initially Wits said put a not for sale tag on Vila to local clubs.
According to a Wednesday paper, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have joined the race for the talented attacking Midfielder and Wits are said to have put a price ranging between R12-15 Million for the 25 year old. Considering the fact that Vila has a contract with Wits that runs till June 2018, together with the quality of the player, the price is somewhat justified.
Kaizer Chiefs are well known admirers of Sibusiso Vilakazi, but history shows that Kaizer Chiefs are not one of the big spenders around, the price would put Cheifs behind in the bidding war between South Africa's big 3. Mamelodi Sundowns are the only team that would match Bidvest Wits' asking price as they are Known to stop at nothing get their man. Orlando Pirates also stand a chance of getting Vilakazi, having a good working relationship with Wits, having bought the likes of Sifiso Myeni and Patrick Phungwayo in the past.
This season's Kaizer Chiefs midfield pair of Willard Katsange (CDM), 29, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, (CM), 32, are not young anymore and it is in Chiefs' interests to invest in the future in acquiring the likes of Vilakazi into their ship. But one thing that Vilakazi will need to consider is the fact that, in the attacking mid or the false nine position, termed the "Parker role" is played by name sake Bernard Parker, this is the position that Sibusiso Vilakazi is most effective on. The question then will be, is Vilakazi capable of dethroning Bernard Parker from his role, considering the fact that Parker has been playing the role for 3 seasons now, secondly Coach Stuart Baxter is known for sticking with the same starting line up otherwise known as the winning formulae.
On Mamelodi Sundowns' side, the club has gained a reputation for signing every quality player in the market.This season's midfield has been Hlompho Kekana playing Central Defensive Mid (CDM), 31, and Teko Modise Central Mid ( CM), 32. Coach Pitso Mosimane has also called upon Bongani Zungu who was signed as an offensive player into defensive mid, and played Zungu as a defensive player. This could be something that Vilakazi would need to look into, and another worrying factor is the constant tendency of Sundowns signing players only to bench them and loan them out midway through the season.
At Orlando Pirates, the midfield had Issa Sarr, (CM), 28, Thandani Ntshumayelo, (CM), 25 and Oupa Manyisa, (CAM), 26 have been regulars this season. Vilakazi plays in the same role as Captain Oupa Manyisa, but Manyisa's contract is ending in June and should Manyisa move elsewhere, Pirates would be a perfect fit for Vila. Should Manyisa not move then Vila will face stiff competition from the team's captain, but in all fairness to Vilakazi, there's a chance of making a name for himself if the news that Orlando Pirates are looking for a new coach. This would put everyone on the same level as everyone would fight for the first eleven jersey.
It will be an interesting Transfer window, and fans will equally curious to see which team will lend the talented centre attacking midfielder, will it be his childhood favourite team Chiefs?, will he join his best friend Myeni at Pirates? or will it be Sundowns that wins his signature?
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