Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, who has been the subject of transfer speculation and linked with Kaizer Chiefs, has had his future decided.
‘Yaya’ travelled to Portugal on Monday afternoon to resume pre-season training with his newly promoted club, Clube Desportivo de Tondela.
Sithole spent last season on loan at Gil Vicente in Portugal’s top division, although he missed a significant part of the season due to injury. While Tondela has received inquiries about the South African international, they expect him to play a key role in their Primeira Liga campaign.
A graduate of the KZN Academy, Sithole has one year remaining on his contract with Tondela. The club has offered an extension until June 2027, and management is eager to secure his future for the long term.
Despite the challenges faced during his loan at Gil Vicente, particularly injuries, the 26-year-old hopes to leave that tough spell behind and make an impact in Portugal’s top league next season. Sithole was sidelined by injury since September 2024, returning early in May 2025.
The injury occurred while representing Bafana Bafana during their 3-2 away victory over South Sudan in an AFCON qualifying match.
SPHEPHELO SITHOLE EYEING MOVE TO TOP EUROPEAN LEAGUES
His return is expected to strengthen Tondela’s squad as they prepare for the taxing Primeira Liga. The Ulundi-born star is also expected to play a significant role in Bafana coach Hugo Broos’s AFCON squad in Morocco later this year. By the end of the AFCON tournament in January, Sithole will have five months remaining on his contract.
There’s a strong sense that he’s ready for a major move to Europe’s top leagues. His management team has reportedly been reluctant to consider Chiefs at this stage of his career.
According to his agent, Manuel Tomas, Chiefs inquired about Sithole in December. However, Tomas clarified to FARPost that no official offer has been made yet.
“In December, yes, we received some calls from Chiefs,” Tomas said. “We don’t know what will happen, but it’s football. We have not received an official offer from them. It was just initial discussions.”
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