Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs defender Mulomowandau Mathoho’s decision to extend his contract with the club by a further three years last week does not rule out the possibility that he might still move to Europe, says his agent.
Mathoho committed his future to Amakhosi until 2020 and the new deal suggested the player was no longer interested in leaving South Africa for greener pastures. His representative, Tim Sukazi, argued that this was far from the truth.
“He signed a new contract to take care of his immediate future,” Sukazi said.
“We have definitely had offers both locally and abroad, but after considering these options, we thought it was best to stick with a team that has been so loyal to him instead of moving to some obscure team in Europe only to come back frustrated a season or two later.
"None of the bids that came in for Mathoho made any sense.”
In May 2015, Sukazi revealed that he had been in talks with a Belgian side regarding Mathoho, who had two years remaining on his contract with Chiefs at the time. It is unclear whether Amakhosi’s valuation of the player was simply too high, or whether Mathoho and his agent opted to remain in the Premier Soccer League, with newly-crowned champions Chiefs.
Before eventually putting pen to paper, the Bafana defender had been in negotiations with Chiefs for some time, as his previous agreement with the club was due to expire at the end of the current season.
“The club understood Mathoho is a sought-after player and the delay in signing a new contract was a combination of us looking at our options, and what Chiefs were also offering,” Sukazi explained, adding that “mechanisms” have been put in place to guarantee that the player is released from his contract should an attractive overseas offer be put on the table.
The recent Keagan Dolly saga with Mamelodi Sundowns, whereby the player was almost denied an opportunity to sign for French League 1 side Montpellier because of a dubious contractual clause, which included two different buy-out amounts, has highlighted the negligence of clubs and agents in looking after players' interests.
“The Dolly saga was rather unfortunate,” said Sukazi. “But clubs do things differently and it all depends on the relationship between all parties. We have a high level of trust and confidence in Chiefs to release Mathoho should an offer that makes business sense be presented. The player is 27 next month and he hasn’t closed the door on moving to Europe.
"But we have agreed that, with all due respect to teams in Scandinavia, the bids will have to come from high-profile teams in Europe. He will need to go play for a side that has a high level of promise. For now he remains a loyal servant of Chiefs.”
Mathoho’s immediate focus then is to help Amakhosi in their Premiership title pursuit as the Glamour Boys host Free State Stars tonight in their first game of 2017, following a six-week break due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Chiefs are fourth on the log table and trail leaders SuperSport United by a single point.
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