Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler has explained why midfielder Khanya Leshabela was released after less than six months at the club.
Leshebala, 24, joined the club in February surrounded by major fanfare given previously being on the books of Premier League club Leicester City.
He featured nine times for the City first-team but was confirmed as one of the five exits of the club at the end of the 2023/24 season.
“Well it all happened [signing Khanya] when we lost [Brice] Ambina and Thato Mokeke, those were key players in our midfield and then KG [Relebogile Mokhuoane] picked up an injury so we went through quite a rough period,” he explained.
“So we needed to try and find a solution as quickly as possible, we heard about Khanya’s availability, so it was a short-term fix, we signed him only until he end of the season and we said from there we would make a decision if we would renew for the following season.
“He knew what type of deal it was… was it a mistake? No, because ultimately he did contribute when he came on he did contribute – but as I said to you, we were already in the stage of signing new players for the new season.”
City have signed Haashim Domingo, Fortune Makaringe, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Carlinhos in what is expected to be a new-look midfield next season.
