Chiefs’ Big R3m Ntshangase Decision…

Kaizer Chiefs have a big decision to make on out of favour midfielder Siphelele Ntshangase, and its one that involves the players’ R3-million transfer fee.

Amakhosi brought ‘Stash’ to Naturena at that price tag a little over two years ago during coach Steve Komphela’s tenure, and a lot was expected of him – the maestro promising to deliver ‘champagne’ passes and help the club end its trophy drought.

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He’s become Chiefs’ forgotten man: no appearances so far this season, has been criticised by coach Ernst Middendorp and his contract is up at the end of next month.

Earlier this month, his agent Jazzman Mahlakgane insisted there was no latest yet regarding the future of the former Black Leopards and Baroka FC talisman, telling the Siya crew: “I think it is difficult to give an update on his future when not much is happening. He is training like everyone else via these virtual programs and obviously once football starts up again we can have the discussion. The club has to be the one telling me that I have to look for a club for him, and as I speak to you now, I have not had that conversation with them.”

That was then. But its emerged now that Ntshangase’s R3-million fee for his move to Chiefs is also a stumbling block. Should he become a free agent next month, it would mean Amakhosi never really got a return on investment.                       

Sources have suggested the club is contemplating exercising the one-year option they have on ‘Stash’ to keep him longer at Naturena or recuperate the money spent – if they decide to sell. Chiefs do also have a Fifa two-window transfer ban to deal with, and that plays to Ntshangase’s advantage in the sense that the club is probably better off holding on to the players that are already on their books.

Last week Amakhosi handed striker Leonardo Castro a new two-year contract to keep him from walking away a free agent on June 30. Given that the club spent so much on Ntshangase, insiders have suggested he could very well remain at Naturena and hope for a fresh start, especially with Middendorp expected to leave at the end of the season.

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