When Phathutshedzo Nange parted ways with Kaizer Chiefs at the end of last season, he was understandably disappointed as his was not a long and successful spell with the side due to lack of regular gametime. The midfielder had been with the Soweto giants for just two campaigns, having joined from Stellenbosch FC, where he had a successful stay under coach Steve Barker. Disappointed or not about the turn of events, the player got another opportunity to revive his career at SuperSport United under a coach who played a big role in shaping his career, in Gavin Hunt. However, in the first half of the current season, things haven't gone the way he would have expected them to due to lack of a regular run. With Nange still having another year to run on his contract, some may say there will still be more time for him to prove his worth, although others may suggest he will have to start adding to his numbers to convince the Tshwane outfit to keep him beyond the current season. The Siya crew casts an eye on possible options for the midfield strongman as the 2023/24 campaign nears resumption.
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told…
Phathutshedzo Nange might have his contract with SuperSport United cut short and allowed to move on with his career, sources have revealed. When he joined the club in June, the player aimed to revive his career after his unsuccessful spell with Kaizer Chiefs and is now understood to be disappointed that he has also struggled for gametime at the Randburg-based side. Soccer Laduma has been informed that the second half of the season will be crucial for the midfielder to convince the club for his stay to remain unaffected beyond this season after he made a handful of appearances in the league so far.
"Phathu Nange is under pressure to deliver at SuperSport United. He came to the club with a view of resurrecting his career, but things haven't gone quite well for him. He had hoped that he would be able to resurrect his career under Gavin Hunt, who is the coach he played his best football under previously at Wits," said a source.
"The player's situation is also concerning to the club because a lot has been expected from him with his experience. That's why he was offered a two-year contract ,but things might change regarding his future with the club as he might leave before. That if his situation with game-time doesn't improve," the source added.
Having made a name for himself in Limpopo during his time with Black Leopards, the lanky star is understood to be open to returning to the province to further his career closer to home if an opportunity arises. According to informants, Polokwane City are monitoring the situation with the 32-year-old and are showing interest. AmaZulu FC are another side that is reportedly keen on the central midfielder, as well as Moroka Swallows, who have been making changes.
"With Nange, it isn't about talent, because people already know what he can do, but it's competition for places in the team that is an issue. It's been tough for him and at his age, he should be playing regularly. What makes his situation even more complicated is that he is competing with players younger than him for a position and those players have been playing ahead of him," noted the source.
"Hunt likes the player, but he's got some tough decisions to make when it comes to team selections. That's why the coach has been giving him a run in the (CAF) Confederation Cup to try and keep everyone motivated," the informant said.
"But if the player doesn't get to contribute more in the league, the situation may change, and don't be surprised if Polokwane City make a formal offer for his services. The club has been monitoring him, along with AmaZulu and Swallows."
What Are The Facts?
When Nange signed a two-year contract with Matsatsantsa, the head coach made it clear that the player needed to work on his physical condition. Although the mentor admires the player so much, he wasn't too happy with his physical shape on arrival from Naturena and suggested that it was something that needed to be given special attention.
"Well, his condition is not very good. He is very out of condition, I don't know how much training he did or what they (Chiefs) did, but his condition is not very good. As a professional, he should look after himself. He's come in now and he's got to shed a little bit of weight – but he has got the touch, there is no doubt in his quality, and I think you'll see a new revived player," Hunt told the Siya crew at the time.
So far in the 2023/24 campaign, Nange has made five appearances in the league, with just one start. Siphesihle Ndlovu and Gape Moralo are some of the players that have been playing ahead of him. When SuperSport announced Nange's two-year-old deal in June, and after the club's CEO Stan Matthews confirmed that he is a player they have liked for some time, the former Stellenbosch FC star had hoped for a positive start. In a statement issued by the club, the 32-year-old said, "I would like to thank SuperSport United for the opportunity they gave me. It is a great feeling to join SuperSport and I'm looking forward and excited to start a new journey in a positive way. I worked with coach Gavin before and we had a clean working relationship. He is a winning coach by nature and good for his players because we all want to win at the end of the day."
Since leaving Stellenbosch, where he made 24 appearances and scored five goals in the 2020/21 season, Nange has failed to replicate similar kind of performances. At the Glamour Boys, he made just five appearances in all competitions in his last season before he was released at the end of last season.
The Story Behind The Scenes
A chance to return home…
Since their return to the topflight this season, Polokwane City have showed that they are in the league to stay and will do everything to compete for top players. Having signed Cole Alexander on his return from Sweden where he was with Helsingborgs IF, the club is said to be serious in luring Nange and adding him to their already formidable midfield. Furthermore, with Rise and Shine having Given Mashikinya nearing the end of his contract as he signed a short-term deal when he arrived from Sekhukhune United in July, they will be looking at reinforcing the squad with more experience in preparation for next season, with Nange one of the targets.
Usuthu keep a close watch
In line with plans to make AmaZulu FC a powerhouse in South African football since Sandile Zungu took over as club president, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit have been competing in the market for quality and experienced players. After being linked with Sammy Seabi from Mamelodi Sundowns last month but having managed to get only Sifiso Ngobeni from the defending champions, they are understood to be having their sights on Nange as part of plans for next season.
Nange targeted for rebuilding Swallows?
Moroka Swallows have appeared to be rebuilding after several players were allowed to leave the club. According to sources, there could be more players leaving the side at the end of the season and Nange is one of the players targeted to join the Dube Birds. He could provide the bite that is known to be a part of Andile Jali's game, should the latter not return as has been speculated.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"For a player in Nange's age, it is important that he plays regular football. What is important here is that he's got the coach's support. The coach knows him well and he played his best football under him at Wits and therefore I would say all is well, at least for now. But in football, things change and the sooner he works on what the coach expects him to improve on, the better. The coach wasn't happy with his condition when he first joined the club, but I am sure he has since improved in that regard. As an agent, I wouldn't advise him to leave, especially as he has another year on his contract. I would advise him to work hard and push for a place in the starting line-up when the season resumes to improve his chances for a longer stay. It would be good if he can work for his new contract at the club as you may never know what might happen elsewhere if he was to leave. SuperSport is a good club with resources and I am sure he is well taken care of there, just like he was at Chiefs, and that's why I wouldn't advise him to leave. The next few months will be crucial for the player to secure his future."
Watch This Space
At his age, Nange needs to make the best decision about his future and some will agree that pushing for a new deal at SuperSport could be one of the best options that any player can make. At the back of his mind, the ex-Amakhosi man is probably not thinking of any deal elsewhere than at Matsatsantsa and he and his camp will be pushing for it. Having changed clubs a few times in the last three years since leaving Wits for Stellenbosch FC and then to Chiefs and SuperSport respectively, the player will want to have a permanent home to allow him to focus on his football in the remaining years of his professional career. With that in mind, there seems no better place to do it than at an established club like the Tshwane outfit.
