Tim Sukazi: Given Msimango’s Kaizer Chiefs move to accelerate Bafana call-up

SABC Sport revealed a month ago Msimango had signed a four-year contract with the Soweto giants for next season, and Sukazi has insisted the imminent transfer was both a business call as well as a way to help accelerate the player’s future Bafana Bafana selection under coach Hugo Broos. 

Sukazi said the 25-year-old is likely being ignored because he does not play for one of the traditional big three clubs in Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. 

“Given Msimango needs to be in a pressured environment for him to play for the national team – he is a national asset,” the chairman insisted. 

“You know as the members of the media as long as he is a TS Galaxy player he will not be called up. But for him to get one, he will play one or two games for Chiefs – even the Carling Cup – he will be in the national team. If you are me, do you want to hold on to this player so that he doesn’t get international caps when the country needs central defenders of his class and quality? Or you allow him to go to a club where, upon playing 10 minutes or even three making a cameo appearance he gets into the national team?” 

Sukazi pointed to Galaxy’s impressive defensive record of only conceding 17 goals in 26 matches this season to support his argument for Msimango to play for Chiefs as well as Bafana Bafana at the moment. 

“That’s where he belongs. We command one of the best records in this league [second to champions Sundowns] as TS Galaxy. Who has been spearheading our defense? Who has been our central pillar? What does it say? People will not talk about it, they won’t. You can’t count many of the clubs, it’s us and Sundowns…maybe Pirates also,” he elaborated. 

Msimango is then expected to boost the Chiefs rearguard under coach Arthur Zwane, and Sukazi believes it’s his obligation to make both Amakhosi and Bafana stronger. 

“It’s our responsibility. Of course, whatever comes from those transactions will be reinvested back into the club. Right now we are self-funded, but playing good football in a top league that South Africans want to see. We compete with clubs with budgets around hundreds of millions or more. Not every club is a big club, for SA football to be at a certain level, you need a very strong Pirates and Chiefs – not just Sundowns alone. They are the flagship of our football and must produce Bafana players,” he said. 

Galaxy did not sell Msimango to Chiefs due to their reported financial woes. 

“We can afford him by the way. He is not earning small money here so that we are clear…we can afford him,” Sukazi said. 

“The truth is he was not going to get a national team call-up as long as he is here, it’s been proven. If I were a national team coach, I will look at the best performing clubs defensively, look at them and compare. Given’s move will benefit the country.”