TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has explained why he sold club captain Given Msimango to Kaizer Chiefs last month.
Msimango is set to join Chiefs in July after penning a four-year deal recently.
TS Galaxy has been struggling financially, with reports that they were struggling to shell out players’ salaries.
It was thought the club had no choice but to sell their most prized possession to raise money.
“We can afford him. By the way, he is not earning small money here, so we are clear. We can afford him,” Sukazi said.
However, Sukazi has explained the reasoning behind releasing the 25-year-old defender.
“Given that Msimango needs to be in a pressured environment to play for the national team – he is a national asset,” Sukazi said.
He believes that if Msimango stays at Galaxy, he will be deprived of the opportunity to play for Bafana Bafana.
“As long as he is a TS Galaxy player, he will not be called up (to the national team). 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.”
Sukazi said the national team needed central defenders of Msimango’s class and quality.
He credited the lanky defender for his club’s impressive defensive record. The Rockets have only conceded 17 goals in 26 matches this season, a better record than Chiefs’.
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Besides Msimango, Amakhosi have also signed Thatayaone Ditlhokwe from SuperSport United. The duo will be expected to tighten things at the back for the Arthur Zwane-coached side.
The lanky defender will hope to challenge for a place in the Bafana team.
The South African national team will participate in the Africa Cup of Nations next year in January.
Ivory Coast will host the tournament, and Bafana mentor Hugo Broos has made it clear that the door remains open.