A lot has been said about Ranga Chivaviro and this transfer window will certainly be remembered for the headlines he stole. The big striker is understood to have penned a pre-contract with Richards Bay FC, making his move to either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates a bit harder than it initially would have been. But the one club that is going to benefit from all this is the Natal Rich Boyz, who acted quickly to secure the player's signature. Soccer Laduma investigates the matter.
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told…
Ranga Chivaviro has become one of the most talked-about players in the PSL recently and the speculation does not seem likely to end, with a few conversational aspects to his exit from Marumo Gallants and next move to one of the three DStv Premiership side looking to have him on board. When the Limpopo-based side had held their end-of-season awards, an event attended by Soccer Laduma, chairman Abram Sello wished Chivaviro well in his speech, but later on that evening revealed that the club had, in fact, exercised the option in Chivaviro's the player's contract, which is due to expire at the end of June. This, however, was denied by the player's marksman's agent, Herve Tra Bi, who made it clear that the 30-year-old striker had not signed on the dotted line for an extension with the club. News followed that Chivaviro, who is wanted by both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, signed a pre-contract with Richards Bay FC. While this was denied by his camp, the Siya crew can reveal that the KwaZulu-Natal-based outfit have a pre-contract with the player and a legal battle would follow if proper procedure is not observed. A pre-contract can be signed by a player, with another club, in the last six months of his deal with a team he is currently registered with.
A pre-contract is binding and players who do not honour the agreement can face the wrath of the law and it often comes with consequences. But players can be bought out of pre-contracts, as long as there is an agreement between the clubs. It's understood that Richards Bay are not closed to the idea of letting Chivaviro join either Chiefs or Pirates, but it would have to come at a price. Indications are that the two Soweto giants, to avoid any trouble going forward, have been in contact with the Natal Rich Boys management to find the best solution for the issue. It's believed Chivaviro wants to join the Glamour Boys ahead of their archrivals and what's working is in his favour at the moment is that the Naturena-based outfit is willing to make an effort to bring him on board, as they are in the market for a striker who can help solve their goalscoring problems. Chiefs are believed to currently be in discussions with Richards Bay and indications are that they are looking to let go of a few of their players to ensure they have Chivaviro on board. It's either they are going to give the KZN side a player or two in exchanged for Chivaviro, or there will be a fee agreed between the clubs to have the player move to the Soweto giants. Richards Bay are understood to be interested in midfielder Sabelo Radebe and chances are they would want to have him on board. Another option on the table for the club is striker Caleb-Bonfils Bimenyimana, who could join the club, with Chiefs believed to be currently looking to part ways with the Burundian.
This would be sweet deal for Richards Bay, who are also in the market for a marksman after struggling for goals towards the end of last season. The Buccaneers are interested in Chivaviro and were, in fact, in talks with Gallants over having the player on board. At some stage, it's understood, they were confident of having the player on board, after securing the signature of Katlego Otladisa, one of the signings expected to be confirmed by the Houghton-based side in the coming weeks. But things have not gone according to plan for Pirates when it comes to Chivaviro and face the prospect of losing out on a transfer target to bitter rivals Chiefs. With the player seemingly preferring a move to Naturena, chances are he will end up wearing the famous Gold and Black colours of the Glamour Boys. No matter what happens during this period, Richards Bay will most definitely benefit more than any of the clubs. The Siya crew understands Chivaviro is in Johannesburg at the moment and is waiting for everything to be finalized.
What Are The Facts?
At the start of 2023, Chivaviro would certainly not have pictured himself in a situation like this. After struggling to get game-time at Gallants in the first half of the season, he entered into the final six months of his contract with the Limpopo outfit. The departure of Sede Dion to AmaZulu FC opened the door for Chivaviro to get more game-time and he grabbed the opportunity with hands. With a contract expiring at the end of June, and no word from Bahlabane Ba Ntwa to confirm that they would take up the option in his deal, Richards Bay started knocking on the player's door and he began getting calls from interested parties. Chivaviro went on a purple patch in front of goal, in both the DStv Premiership and CAF Confederation Cup, and started attracting attention. He scored 17 goals in all competitions, but it was not enough to save the club from relegation. Following his exploits in front of goal, big clubs came calling, but after signing a pre-contract, the procedure is not as smooth as it would have been had he not signed it. Contacted for a comment on the matter, Chivaviro's agent Tra Bi said, "With all respect, I can't comment about this. The right time to comment will come."
The Story Behind The Scenes
No Legal Battle Expected
While this may seem like a matter that would get Chivaviro and his agent in hot water, the issue can actually be handled in a way that would not need Richards Bay to take action against the 30-yearold striker. As things stand, there is a pre-contract in place and the solution would be for Chiefs or Pirates to reach an agreement with Richards Bay to basically buy him out of the pre-contract he signed or offers players that can join the KZN outfit. But chances of the matter ending in a legal battle are slim, from what the Siya crew has gathered.
Do Chiefs Need Chivaviro More?
Amakhosi are in the market for a striker and expectations are that Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana, who was seen as someone who could solve the scoring problem upfront, will leave the club in the coming weeks. The Soweto giants are seriously looking for a marksman to add up front and indications are that Chivaviro believes he has a better chance of playing regularly at Chiefs, considering there is more competition for places up front at Pirates. The latter have Kermit Erasmus and Terrence Dzvukamanja, among others, playing up front and play in a system that might not necessarily suit a big striker, which is why someone like Bienvenu Eva Nga, who joined the club before the start of last season, has not been able to play regularly. The club still need to make a decision on Zakhele Lepasa, as reported in this week's Siyagobhoza, and Tshegofatso Mabasa after the duo spent some time out on loan. Should they return, competition for places up front will be even tighter. Chiefs are pushing to get Chivaviro and probably need him more at this stage, looking at the options they have in the final third when it comes to strikers.
Does He Fit Into The Amakhosi Style?
With Chiefs said to be in the hunt to secure Nasreddine Nabi as head coach for next season, indications are that the Tunisian mentor is a big fan of Chivaviro, having seen him during the CAF Confederation Cup, where Gallants were knocked out in the semi-finals by Tanzanian giants Young Africans. Should the Soweto giants not secure Nabi, the player may feel that he can still fit into Arthur Zwane's system, as the coach has been able to include big striker Bimenyimana and Christian Saile Basomboli in his team.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert opinion on Chivaviro's situation at Chiefs. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"I have been following the story. I don't think Richards Bay would claim there is a pre-contract if there wasn't. It becomes purely a money matter now, so it's something that can be worked out. I don't think Chiefs or Pirates would get him for free.
"What we might see unfold is that the team he goes… let's say he goes to Chiefs, then we might see another player heading to Richards Bay from Chiefs. Maybe it could even be two players. I think it's one way of dealing with it. Another way of handling it will be sort of like a purchase because of the pre-contract, which would then allow them to cancel that pre-contract because it becomes effective from a certain date. So, if there was a fee paid, then they would be able to cancel and then the player can get a contract with one of the bigger teams interested in him.
"To move it quickly, the agent should try to sit with Chiefs or Pirates and find a way forward, instead of denying the precontract. He should see if the clubs would give Richards Bay players or money in order to cancel the pre-contract. Then he would be free to enter into a deal with Chiefs or Pirates. It's not a difficult scenario to solve, but I think those are the two options."
Watch This Space
The Chivaviro saga has been going on for a few weeks, but indications are that it's heading towards an end, with Amakhosi leading the race to have him on board ahead of next season. The club's Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jnr, is believed to be handling the matter and the Naturena-based side are expecting the striker to be their player next season. But with the Buccaneers sniffing around as well, they cannot completely be ruled out of the race!
