The future of Sifiso Hlanti at Kaizer Chiefs hangs in the balance with indications that the club will look elsewhere for a left-back when his contract expires.
The 33-year-old has been a key player for Chiefs since joining the club in 2021. He has made 43 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
However, Chiefs are reportedly looking to the future and are planning to build a younger team. As a result, the club handed him a one-year deal, which will likely be his last.
According to an insider, the club has decided not to hand Hlanti a new deal when the current one expires at the end of the season.
SIFISO HLANTI’S FUTURE UNCERTAIN
“The one position the club still needs to fill in is left-back. The club considered signing a left-back from Tanzania who plays for Simba SC [Mohammed Hussein].
“The challenge, though, was the foreign quota, as the club was looking to bring in the striker from Colombia. A decision was then taken that Hlanti would be handed a one-year deal.
“This could be the last as the club is looking for a replacement in that position,” the source told SN24.
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Hlanti is not the only player who could be leaving Chiefs at the end of the season. Club captain Itumeleng Khune was also handed a one-year deal, although he looks likely to take up a non-football role at the club at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Khune is yet to start a game for Chiefs this season, with Molefi Ntseki preferring Brandon Petersen in goals. The former Bafana Bafana goalie, Khune, made the final 18 for the first time this season on Saturday.
Petersen kept a clean sheet in that game as Chiefs won 3-0 against AmaZulu FC.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Sifiso Hlanti. However, one thing is for sure: his time at Kaizer Chiefs is coming to an end.