Kaizer Chiefs are believed to have renewed their interest in Sifiso Hlanti, as they plan to bolster their squad for the 2016/17 Absa Premiership season.
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Hlanti was identified by Chiefs as a potential transfer target whilst playing for AmaZulu in the PSL during the 2014/15 season.
Following AmaZulu’s relegation to the second-tier of South African football, Hlanti joined the club in the NFD despite the interest shown in the player by Chiefs. However, the player’s time with Usuthu in the NFD was not a good one. A fall-out was reported between the player and the technical team earlier in the season and the 25-year-old was subsequently loaned out to Bidvest Wits during the January transfer window, which runs until the end of the season.
Since his arrival, he has made the position his own, keeping former Chiefs defender Onismor Bhasera on the sidelines.
Hlanti was recently rewarded with a Bafana Bafana call-up following his impressive performances and the Durban-born player made his national team debut for Shakes Mashaba’s side in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Cameroon at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday last week, and was named Man of the Match.
A source close to Hlanti has confirmed to the Siya crew that Chiefs have been following his progress and are interested in potentially signing him ahead of the new campaign.
“There are a number of clubs that are interested in the player now that he has been playing well. He also performed well for Bafana in his first game for the national team.
“Bobby Motaung wants the player for Chiefs. They have been talking about him but I doubt they will succeed, unless Wits agree to that. In the game between Chiefs and Wits recently (February 09), one of the Chiefs’ officials spoke about the player and mentioned their interest in him. He said they would like to sign him in June,” said the source.
The Students are believed to have an agreement in place with the player and they are set to sign him on a permanent deal at the end of his loan agreement.
The Amakhosi are expected to part ways with former Moroka Swallows left back Levy Mokgothu at the end of the season and with Keegan Ritchie having made only two starts in all competitions under Steve Komphela and his technical team this season, they are looking for a player to provide adequate competition for Tsepo Masilela in the left back position for Chiefs.
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Which player(s) do Chiefs desperately need to sign ahead of the 2016/17 Absa Premiership season?
