Stellies CEO confirms Kaizer Chiefs offer for Sibongiseni Mthethwa

The Glamour Boys’ pursuit of the Bafana Bafana international appeared to escalate when coach Molefi Ntseki surprisingly admitted the Soweto giants were huge admirers of the anchorman during the club’s media open day last week at their Naturena base ahead of facing Royal AM. 

Ntseki said Chiefs were not desperate to conclude the move – if it is affordable – during the current registration period. 

When contacted for comment and a further update on whether Amakhosi have indeed submitted an offer, Stellies boss Benadie explained the situation. 

“There has been a lot of uninformed speculation around the player in the press lately.  Mthethwa is a highly valued SFC player that we want to retain,” the CEO told SABC Sport, referring to speculation that Stellenbosch have set a price tag in the region of R15-million for Mthethwa. 

Benadie acknowledged the player nicknamed “The Ox”, who joined the side from the Winelands in January last year from Black Leopards, is in demand and revealed Chiefs had submitted a formal bid. 

“A few clubs have shown interest, including an offer from Chiefs, but as of today [Saturday], he remains firmly with us,” Benadie said. 

Stellies lost two key players before the 2023/24 season even kicked off following the sale of defender Olwethu Makhanya to Philadelphia Union in the USA’s Major League Soccer and midfield talisman Junior Mendieta to defending DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Although every player has a price, allowing Mthethwa to leave with such a limited time to find a replacement would cripple the team. 

Mthethwa featured for Stellies in their goalless league draw away to Golden Arrows on Saturday night in KZN, and coach Steve Barker reiterated to journalists the player was committed to remaining with the club. 

Barker also said Ntseki’s comments were unnecessary.  

“When you have a good player and the window is open there’ll always be speculation. As a coach I wouldn’t do that – I have a desire to have many players from other clubs, but at the end of the day when we as Stellenbosch want a player we get our management, CEO, to formally engage with them. That’s how we do it. It is a bit frustrating when it goes out in the media because the player is a Stellies player – so for me it’s not the right way to go about it,” he explained. 

The two clubs do, however, appear to have a good relationship considering defender and former captain Zitha Kwinika as well as striker Ashley Du Preez joined Chiefs from Stellenbosch last season. 

Kgaogelo Sekgota also moved in the opposite direction last month even though this was a free transfer following a decision taken by both Amakhosi and the winger to mutually terminate the contract.