Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that former Bidvest Wits defender Sifiso Hlanti is training with the club with a view to making a full-time move.
Chiefs are currently under a transfer ban and are therfore prohibited from making any signings but Hlanti who is without a club after the sale of Bidvest Wits’ PSL franchise is staying in shape under the guidance of former coach Gavin Hunt, who was confirmed as the new coach at Naturena earlier this month.
Hlanti training with Kaizer Chiefs
Hlanti is among the best defenders in the league and his signature is highly prized but it seems that Kaizer Chiefs have the inside track.
“We are delighted to announced that Sifiso Hlanti has started training with Amakhosi. The left-back last played for the now sold Bidvest Wits,” read a statement issued on Kaizer Chiefs social media channels.
Monare also on the radar
The top clubs have been picking through the carcass of Bidvest Wits for top talent and Kaizer Chiefs have also been linked to veteran defender Thabang Monare.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, who bought Bidvest Wits franchise announced the release of both Hlanti and Monare last week.
“Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila Football Club confirmed the release of Sifiso Hlanti and Thabang Monare with immediate effect.”
“The club would like to take this opportunity to thank both players for their outstanding contributions and wishing them good luck in their future careers,” a club statement read.
Mind made up despite transfer ban
Both Hlanti and Monare have been linked with moves to SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates since the confirmation of the sale of Wits earlier this year.
In August Hlanti’s agent sternly refuted claims that he had agreed to join Orlando Pirates.
“This is not true,” Hlanti’s agent Sizwe Ntshangase told KickOff.com while confirming that at that time there been no offers for the 30-year-old fullback.
“That’s not true my brother, I don’t even want to speak about it. I don’t even know the people who write that thing.”
Hlanti has earned 11 caps for his country, playing some of his best football during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and despite being over 30-years-old is a player who would improve any PSL squad.
The Durban-born defender spent his formative years at KwaZulu-Natal clubs before signing for Wits in 2016. While at Bidvest Wits he won the league and the Nedbank Cup under Kaizer Chiefs new coach Hunt.