Information reaching Mmegi Sport indicate that Chiefs approached the Gunners' captain over the weekend after he featured in the Zebras' 2-1 win over Mauritania in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the National Stadium. Chiefs and Motlhabankwe are said to have agreed in principle and he is expected to make his debut for the Kgatleng giants during the Orange Kabelano Charity Cup on June 30. It is expected that Chiefs will make a formal approach when the transfer window opens next week.
However, the player has denied that Chiefs have contacted him. He told Mmegi Sport yesterday that he will only consider local clubs if he fails to join South African Premier League side Supersport United where he underwent trials at the end of last season. "If nothing comes from South Africa, I'll consider local clubs. For now, I can't tell if I will leave Gunners. I've also heard rumours that Chiefs want me but I've not heard from anyone from the club," explained the Gunners' skipper.
He said he is still waiting to hear from Supersport United though those in the know indicate that Motlhabankwe's move to South Africa may not materialise since coach Pitso Mosimane has left to become an assistant to Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira at Bafana Bafana. Chiefs' chairman Ernest Molome denied that they have been talking to Motlhabankwe. "We've not thought of any player right now. We've got quality players who we think can help us win Kabelano," he said.
Sources close to Motlhabankwe have told Mmegi Sport that it would be difficult for the struggling Gunners to hold on to their utility player. In recent years, the once mighty Gunners have become notorious for avoiding relegation on the last day of the Premier League and chances of silverware the Lobatse side winning any silverware soon are very remote. A source close to Motlhabankwe said he wants to win things and he thinks that he can only realise his dreams if he leaves Gunners. "Chiefs' offer is said to be enticing him and the pro-spect of playing with the likes of Pontsho (Moloi), Jerome (Ramatlhakwana), Shoes (Selefa) and Stooge (Kareng), might tempt him to settle for Chiefs," said a Gunners insider.
However, Gunners' publicity officer Kitso Dlamini said that they are not aware of any interest in the player from clubs. But he suggested that this might be due to the fact that interested clubs are waiting for the transfer period. "Reports that Talk-Talk might leave Gunners are new and we're not moved. Right now, we're coming up with strategies of how we're going to keep him in the team. We would like to see him leaving to join a team outside the country because clubs here exploit players," he told Mmegi Sport. Dlamini said that they would not thwart the player if he wants to further his career elsewhere.
Meanwhile besides Motlhabankwe, Mmegi Sport has learnt that Chiefs are wooing Patrick Motsepe (BDF XI), Joseph Phetogo (Gaborone United), Nicholas Gora and Thapelo Balepi (Rollers) when the transfer window opens. Balepi has been a Chiefs' transfer target for a long time now and he is believed to be willing to move. The dazzling Rollers' winger has not had a good season and some say that a move to Chiefs might be good for him.
