It's four months into the 2024/25 campaign and a pre-season signing is still waiting for a first official appearance at Kaizer Chiefs.
Bongani Sam was brought in as a free agent after parting ways with Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and, just a few months into his time at Naturena, it looks like his spell could go the same way it did with the Buccaneers.
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The former Bloemfontein Celtic left back is yet to make an appearance on the pitch and is on the bench for Amakhosi, despite recovering from an injury he sustained during pre-season in Turkey.
With Bradley Cross out injured recently, many thought there would be a door opened for the 27-year-old to at least feature in the matchday squad, but he hasn't.
The Siya crew has been informed that head coach Nasreddine Nabi prefers using more robust players in that position at the moment. With Cross out, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe started at left back against TS Galaxy, ahead of Sam and Happy Mashiane, who has made two appearances as a substitute this season.
Ditlhokwe is a left-sided centre back who does not get forward as well as a natural left back would, but Nabi chose to play him there against the Rockets. The Botswana international came on as a substitute against Polokwane City after Cross picked up an injury during the first half of that match. On that same day, Mashiane was on the bench, but Nabi preferred to have Ditlhokwe.
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This should be a concern for Sam, who could struggle even more to get into the team when Edmilson Dove is fully fit to play. The Siya crew understands that Sam's future at the club is uncertain at the moment, but a decision on what happens next with him is likely to only be made at the end of the season.
