Kaizer Chiefs vice-captain Zitha Kwinika has addressed his contract situation at Naturena, with the versatile defender having entered the final months of his current deal at the club.
The 32-year-old’s stay in Soweto is currently set to reach its conclusion on June 30, 2026. Having returned to his boyhood club from Stellenbosch FC in 2022 on an initial three-year deal, the club exercised a one-year option last season to keep him on board for the current campaign.
As the contract expiry fast approaches, Kwinika appears remarkably unfazed, despite the high-stakes nature of a contract year. Speaking during the club’s media open day at the Kaizer Chiefs Village on Monday, the defender addressed his situation with the poise of a man who knows exactly where he stands.
THE ‘BRA K’ CONVERSATION – KWINIKA PLAYS THE WAITING GAME AT CHIEFS
Accompanied by a confident smile and a light-hearted laugh—looking very much like a player secure in his surroundings—Kwinika played his cards close to his chest when asked if negotiations for a renewal were underway.
“No, regarding that, I will speak to Bra K [Kaizer Motaung Jnr], probably after that [the contract expires],” said Kwinika. “My agent [Basia Michaels] and I are waiting, and we shall see what happens.”
Kwinika’s relaxed demeanour is perhaps a reflection of his influence on the pitch this season. A graduate of the Chiefs youth academy, his career came full circle in 2022 after playing for teams such as Chippa United, Bidvest Wits, and a stellar stint at Stellenbosch FC, where he was crowned Player of the Season.
While he enjoyed regular game time in his first season back—making 28 appearances—Kwinika saw his involvement dip to just 18 games the following year. During the last campaign, as Chiefs finally ended their 10-year trophy drought under the guidance of Nasreddine Nabi, Kwinika found himself on the fringes, struggling to break into a revamped backline. He ultimately made only six appearances.
However, football is a game of opportunities, and Kwinika seized his when injuries to Rushwin Dortley and Miguel Inacio left a void in the defence toward the end of 2025. He has since transitioned from a squad player back to an undisputed starter, racking up 22 appearances across all competitions this term and becoming a vital pillar in Chiefs’ pursuit of a top-three finish in th Betway Premiership.
KWINIKA SPEAKS ON HIS KAIZER CHIEFS TURNAROUND
Despite his personal “renaissance,” Kwinika was quick to deflect individual praise, pointing instead to the tactical evolution under the current coaching staff of Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.
He believes the team’s current “shape” is the real reason he is playing some of the best football of his career.
“In this game, individual credit doesn’t really work. I always say it’s not mainly about me,” Kwinika explained. “Perhaps in the past, whatever we were doing as a group was not working well for me. But now, whoever is around me is complimenting the person I am coming out to be. The team shape and the structure are finally complementing my style, allowing me to better showcase my talent.”
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