SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews has provided clarification regarding Christian Saile’s signing from Kaizer Chiefs, addressing the uncertainty that arose earlier this year.
The DR Congo striker arrived at Matsatsantsa in the January transfer window in a swap deal that involved Tashreeq Morris, who joined Amakhosi.
However, the then-head coach of SuperSport, Gavin Hunt, expressed uncertainty when explaining the signing, stating that Saile might have been on loan and could still return to Naturena.
“Christian, he was never in our thought process. He was never in the [club’s plans] to come here,” said Hunt in February. “He just got thrown in my lap. They said, ‘Listen, Morris is going and we’re getting Saile’. I said, ‘Oh, okay, what will I do with him?’ So I’ve got to try and find what I need to do with him.
“But he’s got two to three goals, but he needs a lot of work. There are a lot of things we need to do. But he’s not our player. I think he goes back to [Chiefs], but I’m not sure. I’m not in the boardroom.”
Matthews has since clarified that Saile’s move to the Swanky Boys was a permanent transfer, and they also hold an option to extend his contract until the end of the 2027/28 season.
SAILE SIGNED FOR SUPERSPORT PERMANENTLY, COULD STAY UNTIL 2028
“Saile’s move was permanent, we have options to extend to 2027/28 [season],” Matthews told FARPost.
Saile has found the net twice in the 12 matches he’s featured in across all competitions for the Spartans.
The 25-year-old forward arrived in South Africa in the middle of the 2022/23, signing from the Zambian side Nchanga Rangers.
He scored seven goals, registering four assists in the Phefeni Black and Gold shirt before leaving the club for SuperSport.
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