Vilakazi: Mmodi suffered from Chiefs talks

Golden Arrows co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi has admitted star player Pule Mmodi temporarily lost focus as speculation suggested he was close to joining Kaizer Chiefs.

The Bafana Bafana international is in the final year of his Arrows contract and there were ongoing talks between the two clubs over his services, but it now appears as though the Glamour Boys are unlikely to go ahead with the transfer.

READ: Chiefs open transfer talk with Arrows

Whether the deal has collapsed because Arrows and Chiefs couldn™t agree on a figure is yet clear but the player had made it known he would like to move to Naturena if possible, only to have to return for pre-season under Vilakazi™s watch earlier this month.

œIt wasn™t easy, I must be honest. In our first week it was very difficult to deal with Pule psychologically because he was too sure that he is leaving the club, the Arrows coach said at the DStv Premiership launch on Thursday.

œBut what we reminded him is that the club is not fighting [against] Pule. The club is the one that said, ˜Pule, if you find something, come to us and we will release you.' The club was also active in trying to help him find something.

READ: Chiefs get first option on Mmodi

Abafana Bes'thende will host top-flight rookies Richards Bay in the opening game of the 2022/23 season next week Saturday at the Princess Magogo Stadium, and the coach, who shares his duties with Mabhudi Khenyeza, believes Mmodi is committed and refocussed again.

œIt was just not meant to be. But he is better now and has accepted the situation and is now performing¦ready for the new season. He struggled in early pre-season [for] a few days, especially the first week from the holidays. Now he is ready, and if we are playing tomorrow then Pule will play and he will perform, Vilakazi concluded.

By Mazola Molefe