On loan Mamelodi Sundowns star Lyle Lakay has given his brutally honest version of how he was recently forced out of the club.
Lakay is the reigning Defender of the Season in the DStv Premiership. He surprisingly joined Cape Town City on deadline day of the PSL transfer window [22 September] after Sundowns released him.
The 31-year-old wing-back was deemed surplus to requirements after Masandawana signed Bafana Bafana international Terrence Mashego from City.
“Everybody says this move came as a surprise. It was a shock for me too,” Lakay told Thabiso Mosia SAFM Sport.
“One minute, I was in JHB, and then I was told the next day that I must get ready to go to Cape Town.
“It wasn’t my decision at all, and City was the club I was told I was going to.
“There were no other options offered. I would have liked to stay and fight for my place.
“I did so when Aubrey [Modiba] came, [Sifiso] Ngobeni and others.
“But as I said, it wasn’t my decision. Maybe things were made easier because I’m returning to a former club, and I’ve made peace with it,” he said.
The former Bloemfontein Celtics winger also cleared the air on whether he was part of the deal that saw Mashego join Sundowns.
“I also want to be clear that this move wasn’t part of the deal with Mashego. If it were the case, it would have been announced simultaneously.
“But this move came days after that announcement of Mashego. So the moves are not linked,” he explained.
“To be honest, I didn’t really speak to the coaches. Coach Rulani was the only one I spoke to but there was no real reason.
“He just said the club is moving in another direction and that was it. So like I said, it wasn’t my decision. “
Lakay amassed 25 appearances in the league for the Chloorkop-based side last season and scored two goals while contributing six assists.
The Cape Town-born defender rejoins Eric Tinker’s side on a season-long loan after spending the past five campaigns with The Brazilians.
Lakay joined Sundowns at the start of the 2018/19 season from City.
