It will be an interesting few weeks as Young Africans try to hold onto Orlando Pirates linked midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki, but chairman Hersi Ally Said has given an update on where they currently stand with the player.
The Burkinabe midfielder has attracted a lot of interest on the continent, with Pirates believed to be one of the clubs monitoring the situation. He was one of the stand out performers when Young Africans took on Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League a few months ago, dictating terms in the middle of the park with his sweet left foot.
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It hardly came as a surprise when talk of him possibly leaving Young Africans intensified, but the club is of the belief that he wants to stay to fulfil a project that was laid out to him when he joined two years ago.
Aziz Ki's contract with the Tanzanian giants has expired and the club is in talks to keep the free agent, but it could be difficult for them with interest coming from other clubs.
Speaking to media at the launch of the Toyota Cup in Johannesburg on Monday morning, which Young Africans will participate in against Chiefs, the president said, "It's very tough for us, especially losing a player like Aziz Ki. But I am not saying we are going to lose him. There's a lot of interest coming from a number of clubs, including some of the clubs in South Africa. But Young Africans have a very strong connection with the player and we've done our homework as leaders of the club to make sure the player stays in the club. The discussion is going very well, but as of now nothing has been finalised," he said to media.
Said, however, left the door open for an exit, saying football is business, meaning anything could still happen with the 28-year-old midfielder.
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"The discussion is there. I can say that there is a big chance for him to stay, but we have not finalised yet. I signed him two years ago from ASEC Mimosas and I told him about my project of wanting to take this team to the next level, with him as well, and he was key member of the plan. Our discussion was the same and he was very keen to say 'I need to be here and at least take this team to the project levels that you wanted to'. Yes, he wants to stay, but football is business. You can be tempted to stay in that position, but the financial approach can change your mindset.
"You know we signed him on a two-year contract and that contract has expired and that means those who are interested in him are talking to him directly. But for us, we are still talking to him and there is nothing finalised yet. We hope something will come up soon in our talks."
