Sithebe opens up on conversation with Motaung Jr before leaving Chiefs

Richards Bay FC midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe has opened on the conversation he had with Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr before his exit from the club.

The attacking midfielder left Amakhosi during the off-season as the club underwent drastic changes in a bid to bring the Soweto giants back to glory under new head coach Nasreddine Nabi.

Sithebe played for Chiefs for two seasons after joining at the start of the 2022/23 season from AmaZulu FC.

The 31-year-old came to Chiefs as a marquee signing after impressing at Usuthu, however, he failed to replicate the same form at the Glamour Boys.

Following his high-profile transfer to Chiefs, Sithebe made 39 appearances across all competitions without contributing any goal.

Among other things, Sithebe was troubled by injuries during his time at Chiefs, contributing to his limited time on the field of play.

The former Mbombela United star signed a two-year contract at Kaizer Chiefs, and he left on a free transfer after the club opted against renewing his contract.

WHAT DID SIYETHEMBA SITHEBE SAY ABOUT HIS KAIZER CHIEFS EXIT?

Sithebe, who joined the Natal Rich Boys as a free agent, revealed that he was let go as the new technical team led by Nabi was coming with their own players.

“After the last game of the season, we were speaking with the [sporting] director; he said we must all go home, then we’ll talk when we come back [for pre-season],” Sithebe told FARPost.

“So, at that time, they were still dealing with finding a new coach, and too many things were happening. They said they are waiting to finalise everything with the coaches and the decision will be taken by the coach.

“And they said when we come back, we will sit down and discuss. The sporting director said that the coach who’s coming will come with his players and everything.

“So that’s how they couldn’t renew my contract while the coach who’s coming won’t play me. The decision was between those two things, waiting for the coach to come in and decide on the players.”

RELATED STORY: How Siyethemba Sithebe worked his way back into Kaizer Chiefs’ starting line-up