Problems appear to be mounting on multiple fronts for relegation-threatened Chippa United, who are facing the prospect of dropping to the lower division with only three rounds of the season remaining.
The Siya crew has picked up information that one of their standout players this season, despite their unsatisfying position in the log standings, has signed a pre-contract with Stellenbosch FC.
Chippa has diced with death since the start of the campaign, firing five coaches one after the other, and currently lying second from the bottom of the 16-team championship.
According to Soccer Laduma sources, Zuko Mdunyelwa, has entered into a pre-contract agreement with Stellies and the Chilli Boyz have not taken kindly to what they consider as "betrayal" of the worst kind from the player.
This comes after another star – Siphelele Luthuli – has also indicated that he wished to pursue his career elsewhere after failing to nail a starting position in the club since moving to the side from the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic two years ago.
Information that has landed on the Siya crew's desk is that Chippa insisted that they had an option to exercise on Mdunyelwa's contract before the end of the season, but it looks like they could be trying to shut the stable door after the horse has already bolted.
The NSL rules state clearly that a player is eligible to enter into negotiations with any club of his choice once his contract enters into the last six months before it expires. And as it is right now, the Gqeberha-based side might have left it until too late as the player has made up his mind to leave.
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