Kaizer Chiefs Pull Back from Pursuit of Yaya Sithole Due to Midfield Depth and Injury Concerns

Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly decided to halt their pursuit of Gil Vicente midfielder Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole, despite long-standing interest in the Bafana Bafana star. The club had been evaluating whether to sign Sithole, who currently plays in Liga Portugal 2, or retain Njabulo Blom in the squad.

Insiders close to the situation have revealed that Chiefs have opted against moving forward with the signing of Sithole, citing concerns over their already well-stocked midfield and the player’s injury history.

“There are some decisions which the team is believed to be taking because of the players they already have. You see with Yaya (Sithole) there are about four players already in that position in Edson Castillo, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Samkelo Zwane, as well as Yusuf Maart if he will still be around. So, the club apparently feels that position will be overloaded, so that’s why they are believed to be withdrawing from signing Yaya,” an insider told the Siya Crew.

Chiefs have been focusing on their current midfielders, and with several options already in place, the need for an additional signing in that area has diminished. The club’s reluctance to strengthen their midfield further stems from the depth they currently possess, as well as their ongoing evaluation of Njabulo Blom’s future with the team.

Additionally, Sithole’s recent injury, sustained while on international duty with South Africa, has further complicated the situation. The 26-year-old has only made a handful of appearances this season due to the injury, and his limited match fitness has raised red flags for Chiefs’ scouts.

“The injury has affected the whole move. The club scouts and recruiters feel like it would be a risk signing him as he has been out for a long time due to injury though he is a good player. And the other issue is the club is still looking at the possibility of keeping Njabulo Blom, which means they would not need Sithole, and that’s the other reason why they are backtracking on signing him,” explained a second source.

Although Sithole has shown promise in the past, Chiefs appear content with their current midfield setup and are no longer considering him as a viable signing at this time.

Sithole, who has made a name for himself at Gil Vicente in Portugal, remains a highly regarded talent, but his injury concerns and lack of game time this season have led Chiefs to reconsider their interest.

As of now, Chiefs have not commented publicly on their decision, and no official statement has been made. However, the club’s decision to focus on their existing players rather than pursue additional midfield reinforcements marks a significant development in their transfer plans for the upcoming season.