Kaizer Chiefs' appeal of the club's FIFA ban could influence the future of Thabo Rakhale regarding his next move.
Jomo, as Rakhale is known in football circles, will see his contract with Chippa United expire at the end of the 2019/20 season and the indications are that the skilful player will be leaving the Port Elizabeth club.
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Chippa chairman Siviwe Mpengesi confirmed that the former Orlando Pirates star declined their offer of a new deal, which is an indication that the club might have already given up in their attempt to extend his contract.
It was revealed in April of 2018 that Chiefs are admirers of Rakhale and that the club was monitoring his situation, according to sources.
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As reported in edition 1170 of Soccer Laduma, sources have now explained that Chiefs' interest has not waned since then and that the Soweto giants are keen on the 30-year-old with the knowledge that his contract at Chippa is set to expire and that he will be available on a free.
"There's always been interest from Chiefs in Rakhale. He is the kind of a player that the club likes. But as for whether the coach (Middendorp) also likes him, it's another story," said the source.
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"But there's no deal in place at the moment. The player is eligible to sign with a club of his choice, as he is in the last six months of his contract. But with the FIFA ban (of Chiefs), there's no chance that he would have signed (a pre-contract) already – maybe he can (sign) after the appeal (if Chiefs win). It wouldn't be a surprise if they (Chiefs) were to come back at some point for the player's services, if they come right with FIFA (regarding the ban). You'll never know what they are thinking," the source added.
