Libyan giants Al Ittihad are on the verge of finalising a deal for Kaizer Chiefs defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, hoping to complete the transfer before the window closes on February 17.
Ditlhokwe’s potential move to Al Ittihad comes at a point when his career at Chiefs was beginning to flourish, following his strong performances that earned him a place in the starting lineup.
The two clubs entered talks this week, which could see Ditlhokwe move to the North African country in a deal that could keep him there until June 2027.
The Tripoli-based club has already signed Ditlhokwe’s Botswana national teammate Tumisang Orebonye in a move worth US$500000 [R9.2 million] from AS FAR Rabat. Additionally, Al Ittihad secured the services of Egyptian striker Mahmoud Kahraba from 12-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly.
Ittihad have won the Libyan Premier League 19 times and are currently fourth in the Libya West Group standings. Amakhosi are known not to stand in the way of players seeking opportunities to advance their careers. There are indications that they are willing to let ‘TT’ go despite his increasing importance in the squad.
The Botswana Zebras captain joined the Soweto giants at the beginning of the 2023/24 season from SuperSport United on a free transfer. He had spent three and a half years at Matsatsantsa.
In his first season, he played a significant role in the Amakhosi lineup alongside Given Msimango. The 26-year-old made 20 starts across all competitions. However, the arrival of Miguel Inacio and Rushwin Dortley diminished his influence under coach Nasreddine Nabi.
AS DITLHOKWE EXITS, NABI TARGETS SPECIALIST LEFT-BACK
His first appearance under Nabi came on November 2, 2024, when Inacio was shown a red card in the Carling Knockout match against Mamelodi Sundowns. Since then, he has made eight starts across all competitions and has looked as though he is making the left-back position his own.
Despite his inactivity for the club, Ditlhokwe, appointed captain of Botswana at 21, guided the Zebras to only their second AFCON qualification. He captained the team in all their qualifying campaign matches.
Should Ditlhokwe move, Nabi will rely on Bradley Cross and Happy Mashiane at left-back.
“If there is an opportunity or a transfer window that we get a chance to strengthen the team, we feel we are in the right direction even if we were not consistent,” Nabi told journalists.
“We feel that, for example, we should have had a left-back that is a specialist in his position, the one who plays there – even though he plays amazingly well – is someone who was there first, and it was a case of, ‘Let’s try him to see how he does.'”
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