JOHANNESBURG – Bloemfontein Celtic say they are unwilling to cut short defender Lorenzo Gordinho’s loan spell from Kaizer Chiefs at the request of his parent club.
Speaking to IOL shortly after Amakhosi said in a brief statement on Thursday that they had sent a letter asking for Gordinho to return to Naturena, Celtic chief executive Khumbulani Konco confirmed that under no circumstances would they agree to lose their centreback.
Gordinho moved to Celtic in a shock move during the January transfer window last season and speedy winger Kabelo Mahlasela went in the opposite direction.
“The answer is no,” said Konco.
“We have agreed to Lorenzo being at Celtic for 12 months and that is until January next year. Those were the terms of our deal. He will not be going anywhere.”
Khumbulani Konco: (12 months) were the terms of our deal. He will not be going anywhere. Photo: @Bloem_Celtic on twitter
Chiefs have seemingly struggled in defence under new coach Giovanni Solinas and their latest setback was a 1-1 draw away to Baroka FC in an Absa Premiership clash on Tuesday night, leaving their Italian mentor with no wins from three league matches so far.
Bobby Motaung, the Amakhosi football manager, claimed in the statement that Gordinho had actually asked for his loan spell to be cut short a few weeks ago when Celtic players were on strike because of unpaid salaries.
“I can guaranteed you that Lorenzo has never told the club – unofficially or officially – that he wants to leave and go back to Chiefs,” said Konco.
At the time Gordinho was surprisingly loaned out, Steve Komphela was still Chiefs coach until he resigned in April.
He has since been appointed Celtic coach and the player appears to be one of the first names in his starting line-up. The Free State-based club has managed to win both their opening league games and host Orlando Pirates on Sunday afternoon.
Chiefs have until August 31 – the end of the transfer window – to convince Celtic to end Gordinho’s loan spell early.
@superjourno
IOL Sport