With just over two months remaining on his Kaizer Chiefs contract, Ranga Chivaviro's future at the Soweto giants has become increasingly uncertain.
The 32-year-old striker's current deal is set to expire in June, making the final stretch of the season a decisive period in determining whether he remains at Naturena beyond this campaign.
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Chivaviro joined Amakhosi in 2023 from Marumo Gallants after an outstanding season in which he netted 17 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions.
His exploits included a goal against Chiefs in April 2023, which helped solidify his reputation back then as a clinical finisher.
However, his transition to life at Chiefs has been anything but smooth.
Since his arrival, the burly forward has experienced moments of brilliance but has also struggled with inconsistency.
This has led to mixed reactions from the club's passionate supporters, some of whom have voiced their frustrations by booing him during matches and calling for his substitution.
So far this season, Chivaviro has managed to score five goals in 21 appearances across all competitions – a return that has not quite lived up to the high expectations placed upon him.
Chiefs have an option to extend his contract for an additional year, but it remains unclear whether the club will trigger that clause.
Given his struggles to fully integrate into the squad and win over the fans, the Chiefs hierarchy faces a crucial decision in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, indications suggest that Chivaviro himself may be contemplating his next move, with the possibility of continuing his career away from Naturena.
As the season draws to a close, Chivaviro will be eager to prove his worth and convince both the club and its supporters that he deserves an extended stay.
The remaining matches offer him a final chance to stake his claim, but whether that will be enough to secure his future at Amakhosi remains to be seen.
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"Look, when he joined the club, he had high hopes about making progress, because he had been on top of his game. He was confident that he would do well. But things haven't quite worked out for him, and his love-hate relationship with the fans hasn't helped. At this point, he knows that things aren't looking great (regarding a contract extension)," said the source.
"His camp is handling the situation. They won't be short of options. Ranga is a good player with a high work-rate. He was on the radar of many clubs before joining Chiefs, and he may look into that in assessing his options," the source added.
Soccer Laduma contacted Chiefs for comment but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
