Willard Katsande set for major change?

Aug 4, 2022 - 09:24 am

By Delmain Faver

Having been left out of Sekhukhune United's official squad for the 2022/23 season, veteran midfielder Willard Katsande is set to make a big call on his career.

Katsande, 36, joined Babina Noko after a 10-year spell with Kaizer Chiefs where he won numerous trophies with the Glamour Boys.

In his first season with the DStv Premiership rookies, Katsande made 19 appearances for Babina Noko, leading them to a comfortable 11^th place finish.

Now, the Siya crew has been reliably informed that Katsande is set to call time on his career and take up an ambassadorial role at the club, closing the curtain on what has been an eventful career.

Katsande holds the record of being the most capped foreign player at Amakhosi, having made 326 appearances during his time at Naturena.

The former Zimbabwean international joined the Soweto giants in 2011 from Ajax Cape Town and it took him a while to establish himself in the line-up and endear himself to the supporters.

However, it was only when Stuart Baxter arrived at Chiefs in 2013 that Katsande really stood out as one of the club's most important players.

His game grew under Baxter's reign, as Amakhosi won two Premiership titles, as well as the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup during the three seasons the former Bafana Bafana coach was at the helm. Katsande also won the Amakhosi Player of the Year award for the 2013/14 season.

Itumeleng Khune is one of the few players that are still at Chiefs. According to reports, he is the Amakhosi captain for the new season.

Zitha Kwinika is back at Naturena after leaving several years ago due to lack of game time.. He was part of the 2014/15 season squad that won the league.

Bernard Parker was amongst a host of players released by Chiefs at the end of last season. He is linked with SuperSport United.

Eric Mathoho is still part of the club.

George Lebese is currently clubless. After his Chiefs stint he went on to play for various clubs such as Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and Switchbacks FC in the USA.

George Maluleka left Chiefs in 2020 to join Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won a treble including the league title. He is now at AmaZulu.

Hendrick Ekstein recently parted ways with AmaZulu and he is a free agent. After leaving Chiefs, he played for Sabah and FK Sabah FK in the Azerbaijan Premier League.

Ivan Bukenya went on to play in India and Sweden after his time at Chiefs. He is now playing in Uganda for Uganda Police.

Josta Dladla retired in 2016 after a brief spell with Swallows.

Katlego Mphela called time on his career in 2019 after struggling to find a club. He was last on the books of Royal Eagles in the second-tier league in 2019.

Kgotso Moleko is a free agent after recently leaving AmaZulu.

Matthew Rusike has retired. He played for various teams in Sweden and Norway after his stint at Chiefs.

Chris Matombo is a free agent after leaving second-tier side Venda Academy.

Siphiwe Tshabalala has been clubless since 2021 after leaving AmaZulu. He played in Turkey for BB Erzurumspor.

Kingston Nkhatha is currently at second-tier side Mbombela United after stints at different clubs including SuperSport United.

Simphiwe Mtsweni has been struggling to find a club in the professional ranks since parting ways with AmaZulu in 2018.

Siphelele Mthembu recently parted ways with AmaZulu and is clubless. He also had stints at Cape Town City and Platinum Stars.

Willard Katsande left Chiefs in 2021 and he is now playing for Sekhukhune United.

Lorenzo Gordinho recently joined Danish second tier side HB Køge from Viborg. He also played for Bloem Celtic and Bidvest Wits in SA.

Mandla Masango was instrumental in Amakhosi's title charge in 2015. He went on to play for Randers FC in Denmark and SuperSport United. He has been clubless 2018.