Kaizer Chiefs have one big decision to make as the contract of one of the club's stars is coming to an end when the season concludes.
After assembling a new squad with additions in the previous transfer window, Chiefs will have to make a call on whether or not they want to keep left-back Sifiso Hlanti beyond the end of the 2022/23 season.
As reported in edition 1293 of Soccer Laduma, Hlanti has entered the final year of his contract after he joined Amakhosi from Swallows on a two-year deal.
Read: Zwane: Ending Trophy Drought Not More Important Than Chiefs' Vision
According to Siya sources, the former Bidvest Wits defender's deal included a one-year option and the Glamour Boys will have to make a decision on whether they want to trigger the option or not.
The Bafana Bafana defender missed the bulk of the 2021/22 season after he raptured his Achilles tendon in the early stages of the season.
Hlanti only returned this season, as he made his first start in the MTN8 quarter-final against Stellenbosch.
The 32-year old has not looked back since then, as he has been one of the key players for Chiefs, who struggled with their defensive organization in the early stages of the campaign.
Soccer Laduma looks at factors that could decide Hlanti's fate at Chiefs.
Hlanti ahead in left-back pecking order
Hlanti looks to be a first-choice option at left-back and has brought stability after head coach Arthur Zwane conceded that it was not an ideal situation for them to play Reeve Frosler, who is right-footed in that position.
So far, Happy Mashiane appears to be a back-up option at left-back.
Dove factor
It was initially thought late signing Edmilson Dove would provide Hlanti with competition at left-back.
However, Dove has been used mainly as a left-footed centre-back, even though he can play as a left-back.
Zwane made his intentions clear in this regard after playing the Mozambican as one of three centre-backs in the Macufe Cup friendly against Royal AM, with Mashiane deployed as a wing-back.
Chiefs lost out on Mashego
As previously reported by the Siya crew, the Glamour Boys had serious intentions of signing Terrence Mashego from Cape Town City and even submitted an official bid.
The move to sign Mashego looked promising after the dreadlocked left-back also expressed admiration to play for Amakhosi.
However, Mamelodi Sundowns secured his signature in the late stages of the previous transfer window.
Losing out on Mashego could mean the Soweto giants could lean towards keeping Hlanti, as one of their experienced left-backs.
However, given the dramatic nature of contracts coming to an end, Chiefs will want to engage Hlanti as soon as possible if he is in their future plans, as the Bafana Bafana defender will be eligible to sign a pre-contract in January next year.
Chiefs lost the services of former midfielder George Maluleka in June 2020 after he signed a pre-contract with Mamelodi Sundowns six months before the expiry of his contract.
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