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JOHANNESBURG — Zimbabwean midfielder Willard Katsande is understood to have attracted the interest of one of the DStv South African Premiership football’s big hitters, following the news of his imminent exit from Kaizer Chiefs.
The Siya crew reported on Sunday that Chiefs have informed the veteran that he would not be kept on beyond the expiry of his short-term contract, which made him eligible to feature in the CAF Champions League, bringing an end to more than a decade of service to Amakhosi.
His contract ends on July 30.
But the vastly experienced campaigner, who has proved that he still has gas in his tank, has already managed to attract the interest of AmaZulu, who are understood to be keen on luring the Zimbabwean to KZN.
According to well-placed sources, Usuthu have identified the 35-year-old as the perfect candidate to plug the gaping hole in their defensive midfield, with the club looking to challenge for both the DStv Premiership and the CAF Champions League in the upcoming season.
Benni McCarthy’s side has been strengthening their squad that finished in second place behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns last season, roping in the duo of Keagan Buchanan and Mxolisi Kunene and have now turned their attention to the hard-tackling midfielder.
Usuthu is blessed with a wealth of experience in their ranks, with the likes of Siphiwe Tshabalala, Tsepo Masilela, Siphelele Mthembu and Lehlohonolo Majoro all on the club’s books, and it now remains to be seen if Katsande will reunite with his former Chiefs teammates in the near future. Kaizer Chiefs are expected to confirm the departure of Katsande this week, the Siya crew has been informed.
Indications earlier this month was that the veteran midfielder had been offered an extension beyond the end of his contract.
Word coming out of Naturena then was that Katsande would continue to work with Stuart Baxter for another year following the Englishman’s return to Amakhosi on a two-year deal to replace Gavin Hunt.
The midfielder, who joined Chiefs in 2011, started in their CAF Champions League final against Al Ahly two weekends ago and it was thought he may form part of the core team next season, albeit as a fringe player.
But the Siya crew has now been informed that the club has in fact not offered Katsande a new contract and are expected to make an announcement in the coming days regarding the decision to cut ties with one of their longest serving players.
Katsande (35) has seemingly been replaced by Cole Alexander, the 32-year-old who worked with Baxter at Odisha FC in the Indian Premier League prior to being allowed to leave on a free and reunited with the coach.
Chiefs are also expected to confirm his signing before the start of the season.
Katsande made over 300 appearances for the Glamour Boys — winning two league titles, coincidentally during Baxter’s first spell at Naturena. The coach’s return, however, has seemingly not guaranteed Katsande an extension to his contract.
There are a few more players in Katsande’s shoes whose agreements had also come to an end and they are expected to leave.
In fact, Kaizer Chiefs could end up with a single player registered as a foreigner ahead of the new season, pending developments expected at Naturena in the next few weeks.
Colombian forward Leonardo Castro is eligible for permanent residence, which will allow him to be registered as a non-foreign player, just like Zimbabwean duo Katsande and Khama Billiat.
Both Katsande and Billiat have spent over a decade playing in the PSL and have long been playing as non-foreigners.
Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi can also now take up a local identity card, having played in South Africa for at least five consecutive years.
He started out at Chippa United before moving to Chiefs at the beginning of 2019 going on to give Itumeleng Khune the best competition that he has faced since making his first team debut.
So, Castro and Akpeyi could free up two foreign spaces. The pending departure of Zambian forward Lazarous Kambole will open yet another space. Kambole has been a disappointment through the two years that he has spent at Chiefs and has been made available to any takers keen in him with interest having come in from Tanzania and Zambia.
Kambole is now into the last year of his contract at Naturena. Kenyan midfielder Teddy Akumu’s continued stay at Naturena is not cast in stone with whispers suggesting that Chiefs will be keen to listen to those interested in him. Then with Serbian forward Samir Nurkovic transfer talk over his head has not completely diminished since last year.
However, with an improved contract which has a year to run with an option of another season he is settled at the club. — Laduma/KickOff.com
Online Reporter