Baroka boss clarifies Siphelele Mthembu’s departure

Baroka FC chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has explained the reasons behind veteran striker Siphelele Mthembu’s departure from the club just five months after he joined.

The former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates frontman signed for the Limpopo club in August 2024 from Pretoria Callies, whom he has rejoined as a free agent.

At Bakgaga, the 37-year-old managed to make nine appearances and contributed one goal in the process in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

‘Shaka Zulu’, as he is affectionately known, was amongst the 11 new signings made by Baroka at the beginning of the season, with the hope that his experience will help the club challenge for automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership.

WHAT BAROKA FC CHAIRMAN KHURISHI MPHAHLELE SAID ABOUT SIPHELELE MTHEMBU’S DEPARTURE

The Baroka boss, Mphahlele, did not beat around the bush when asked what led to Mthembu’s departure from the club, revealing that lack of game time is what made the player leave.

He insisted that a senior player like Mthembu needs to play more, given his age and the qualities that he boasts.

“Well, Siphelele Mthembu is a senior player. So, as a senior player, you need to have more game time, and he was not getting playing game time here,” said Mphahlele, responding to FARPost when asked why Mthembu left the club.

“We went 10 games without him featuring in any game and not making the bench. So, that is not good for him as a senior player. He needs to play more at his age.”

‘IT WAS SAD TO LOSE HIM’, SAYS BAROKA INTERIM COACH AMUKELANI HLONGWANI

Meanwhile, the club’s interim coach, Amukelani ‘JJ’ Hlongwani, said that it was “sad” to see a player of Mthembu’s calibre leave the club.

“Honestly speaking, he is a great human being. We are talking about someone who had a phenomenal career and is a legend of the game. It was sad to lose him,” added Hlongwani.

RELATED STORY: Siphelele Mthembu set to return to his former club after Baroka exit