Stellenbosch FC’s pursuit of TS Galaxy midfielder Thato Khiba has hit a snag after the Cape Winelands-based outfit was keen to sign the former Kaizer Chiefs product.
A week ago, FARPost reported that the Steve Barker-coached side were close to securing the services of the Rockets midfielder ahead of the 2024/25 DStv Premiership season.
Stellies are on a mission to strengthen their midfield, having lost Sibongiseni Mthethwa to Kaizer Chiefs in the just-ended PSL campaign and released Darrel Matsheke due to disciplinary issues. Matsheke had joined the side as a replacement for Mthethwa.
Following Stellenbosch’s successful 2023/24 season, the club will have a busy schedule in the upcoming campaign as they will be competing in the CAF Confederation Cup, DStv Premiership, Carling Knockout Cup, MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup, hence the need to bolster their midfield.
The 27-year-old footballer was also linked with a potential move to two of the Soweto giants, Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
WHAT WENT WRONG WITH THATO KHIBA’S MOVE TO STELLENBOSCH FC?
According to sources close to this publication, the negotiations for Khiba’s move to Stellenbosch have collapsed. This comes after the player’s camp couldn’t agree on personal terms, resulting in the deal being called off.
However, Stellenbosch and Galaxy had agreed on a sale of Khiba but the deal did not materialise because of personal terms between the player and the 2023/24 Carling Knockout Cup winners.
Khiba was one of the players who performed well for Galaxy, having played 24 games in all competitions, scoring two goals and contributing two assists. He helped Galaxy finish in the Top 8 [sixth place] with 44 points after 30 games.
The talented midfielder is still contracted to the Mpumalanga-based side. He signed a three-year deal with an option to extend by a further two years when he joined Galaxy after cutting ties with Marumo Gallants when they were relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
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