AmaZulu head coach Benni McCarthy has refuted suggestions he’ll cast Siyethemba Sithebe aside after the recent drama around him in the January transfer window.
Sithebe, 29, reportedly signed a pre-contract with Chiefs to join up with the squad for the 2022/23 season, much to the dismay of the Usuthu hierarchy who were looking to secure his long-term future to the club.
Club President Sandile Zungu suggested the player would not represent the club again and accused Amakhosi of illegally trying to sign the player before the opening of the January transfer window – when he became eligible to be able to agree to the deal.
But McCarthy has now called for calm after the emotional rollercoaster that’s played out in the media over the past few weeks and urged all parties to come together to find a common goal that is beneficial to all.
“The Sithebe issue. I was away in Scotland with my family when all this happened, so I came back and read in the newspapers that it was set Sithebe is never going wear an AmaZulu shirt [again],” he said.
“I had conversations with the President and the board about us having to be on the same page and on the same level – at the end of the day, he’s still our player.
“He’s not gone yet and in these circumstances, we have to put emotions aside, you know. I’m sure as a club we’ll find a way forward, we’ll find a solution that works for the club and player.
“I can’t say I won’t play the player because he’s going to be someone else’s player – I don’t think that’s how life is supposed to be. Football is what it is and we have to try and make difficult decisions.”
With McCarthy’s side set to compete in the CAF Champions League, he suggested that Sithebe will have a role to play before adding that he hopes he is acknowledged for his contribution to the club over the past five seasons.
“We want to make the game better, we want to move forward and try the best solutions for all parties. We want to send him off [the right way] because he’s been an important part of AmaZulu for so many years. We don’t want to have [him to eave] on a sour note,” he added.
“We want to give him our blessings when he leaves. As a club, yes, it’s hard to accept what happened, when it happens to you it’s hard but we plan to find the best solution so that everyone is happy.”
The South Africa international midfielder has scored eight goals and registered nine assists in 132 games since joining the club from Mbombela United back in July 2017.
Story by Lorenz Kohler (@Lorenz_KO).
