Kaizer Chiefs find themselves in a precarious situation with some of their senior players’ contracts ending on Wednesday, yet they still have a CAF Champions League final against Al Ahly on July 17.
The Soweto giants have seven players whose contracts conclude on Wednesday: Bruce Bvuma‚ Erick Mathoho‚ Willard Katsande‚ Lebogang Manyama‚ Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ Khama Billiat and Bernard Parker. This leaves Chiefs in a tight spot ahead of their trip to North Africa to take on Pitso Mosimane’s defending champions.
Having done so well in guiding the club to their first Champions League final, all seven are likely to be rewarded with new deals, but the question is whether this is possible before on Wednesday.
Bvuma was impressive in goal when he stood in for Itumeleng Khune or Daniel Akpeyi.
Mathoho, Katsande, Manyama and Parker also came to the party in the last few matches for Amakhosi and their experience was vital in the continental competition. They are likely to be given new deals.
There is also the issue of Covid-19, with Bvuma missing Amakhosi’s semifinal return leg against Wydad Casablanca at FNB Stadium on Saturday as he is said to be in isolation.
Indications are that the club is in discussions with Katsande and Parker to extend their contracts by one more season after their contribution to the club's impressive Champions League run, according to sources.
Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung, however, could not be reached for say. But interim coach Arthur Zwane, who was on the bench in the semifinal against Wydad, did confirm after their victory that the club will sit down and have those discussions before Wednesday.
“To be quite honest we didn’t discuss that. The focus was more on this semifinal. So the management will deal with that when the time is right,” Zwane told the media.
“So now it’s about going back to the drawing board and planning thoroughly for the final. Obviously that will be part of the planning, in terms of the players’ contracts that are about to expire.”
Chiefs still have Dumisani Zuma and Billiat out with injuries and they are unlikely to play any part in the final.
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