Kaizer Chiefs has decided not to extend a contract to a promising academy player, despite his standout performances during pre-season and his notable contributions to the South African national team, Bafana Bafana, during the COSAFA Cup.
The 19-year-old sensation had been on the brink of securing a coveted three-year deal with the Kaizer Chiefs senior team, following an impressive display during pre-season. He was one of the six young talents from the Diski Challenge team invited to train with the senior squad, showing his potential as a rising star. Furthermore, Puso Dithejane’s inclusion in the South African national team that clinched a third-place finish in the COSAFA Cup held in Durban only added to his burgeoning reputation.
Inside sources close to Amakhosi have disclosed that, contrary to initial expectations, the club has opted not to offer Dithejane a contract extension with the senior team. The reasons behind this decision are yet to be officially confirmed, but it is believed that the club’s management is privy to the technicalities and logistics of the situation.
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“It will depend on how they want to use him. He can still play for the Diski Challenge team while he is registered with the senior team,” revealed an anonymous insider. “I think they have apparently given him the three years for now as the starting contract, but I believe they will expand it. He has great potential and he is one for the future,” the source said, hinting at the possibility of a later contract extension.
Another undisclosed source within the club’s inner circle shed some light on the situation, suggesting that Dithejane may primarily serve as an understudy to the senior players. “He is still young and has much to learn from the senior players, which means he will be given the chance to play in some of the games where the technical team feels fit to use him. I think that’s why they have offered him a three-year contract for now,” the source concluded.
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45min Football reached out to Kaizer Chiefs for a statement on the matter, but the club did not respond at the time of preparing this story. The unexpected twist in Dithejane’s career at Kaizer Chiefs has left fans and pundits speculating about the club’s motives and the young player’s future prospects.
