Lack of game time costs Siwahla
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday January 12, 2016 10:22
Mogomotsi said the decision to part ways was based on the fact that the attacker failed to cement his place in the starting line up. “We could not have a foreign player sitting on the bench week in week out. The player purely understood and we mutually agreed to terminate (his contract),” he said. Siwahla signed a two-year contract with Magosi at the start of the season after impressing during trials.
The dribbling wizard and Zimbabwean, Patrick Kaunda were fighting to secure the remaining foreign player’s spot at Chiefs at the beginning of the season. Chiefs settled for Siwahla while Kaunda went to BDF XI. It has proved an unwise move for Chiefs as Kaunda is banging the goals for BDF XI while Siwahla struggled. Siwahla made eight appearances for the Kgatleng side, of which seven came from the bench.
Siwahla’s departure leaves Chiefs with one space for a foreign player. Mogomotsi said the decision to sign Siwahla over Kaunda was taken by the technical team, as the 27-year-old proved that he would add more value to the team’s attacking options. “You can recall that we had Kaunda also on trials; both players are equally capable but Siwahla impressed us most. We cannot rule the possibility of bringing another foreigner before the window closes. We will definitely bring someone in, the question is when,” he said. Meanwhile, coach Mike Sithole refused to comment on Siwahla’s departure, referring questions to the club management. “I’m not in a position to comment on the issue as I do not know if the player has left. The management deals with such issues, you can contact them,” he said.
Sithole said the team is looking to sign a defender before the close of the transfer window, but was coy on the identity of their targets. “We are handicapped at the back. At times we had to push a midfielder to the back which is not good. We have a pool of players to choose from,” he said. He further said preparations for the second round have been going well and they have been focusing more on fitness.
Chiefs lost 2-1 to Jwaneng Galaxy over the weekend in a friendly game played in three 45 minutes stanzas at the Chiefs village in Tlokweng. Chiefs welcome troubled Sankoyo Bush Bucks at the National Stadium on Saturday in their first game of the year.