A former Kaizer Chiefs player who signed a contract abroad a year ago featured for the full 90 minutes as his team eventually got relegated to the lower divisions.
Yeni Malatyaspor were officially relegated from the Turkish Super Lig following defeat a narrow 1-0 defeat at home against Gaziantep at the weekend, meaning defender Teenage Hadebe is expected to be playing his football a division below next season.
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Hadebe was a surprise departure at Naturena prior to the start of the campaign, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Turkish outfit and forcing Chiefs to go on a search for a left-footed centre back as a result.
While he was very much a regular for Malatyaspor – playing in 28 matches in all competitions, including the loss at the weekend, this wouldn’t have been the start he was hoping for after his big move abroad.
The club not only needed to win, but were also counting on favours from rivals in order to stay up, although their poor goal difference made their fight for survival almost impossible.
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It remains to be seen whether Hadebe will stick it out in at Malatyaspor given that Turkish clubs are notorious for cutting costs when they are relegated.
Another Chiefs player, Siphiwe Tshabalala, confirmed that there was a proposal to cut his salary by half as a result of his club BB Erzurumspor also being relegated last year.
‘Shabba’ opted to end talks and return home, where he is still yet to find a new club.
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