AmaZulu director and board member Mfundo Zungu says it is difficult to comment on the issue of captain Makhehleni Makhaula, who has signed a pre-contract with Orlando Pirates.
However, Zungu said there are no hard feelings for Makhaula signing a pre-contract with the Bucs because he has to consider the life span of football as a short career.
Makhaula took full advantage of being out of contract to sign a pre-contract with Pirates and will leave at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract.
At the moment he’s serving the last six months of his contract with Usuthu, though he missed the last game against Marumo Gallants last weekend due an injury.
Zungu said it is sad to see the club lose such a key player, but it is the name of the football space sometimes.
“I think I heard of that for the first time through the media,’’ said Zungu to the iDiski Times.
“But to take a step back, the guy is turning 33, if he’s not 34. I think this will be his last big contract and it is only fair for him (to look for a better package).
“I don’t think there are hard feelings, it is football. Processes were followed properly where contacts were only made during the time where the contacts were made.
“I think the hierarchy of the club also has no hard feelings. At the end of the day it is his decision, he needs to make money for after retirement and it is a great club to go to.
“I think a lot of players dream to play for a club like Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns and hopefully it would be us that everyone wants to play (in future).
“I can assure you that would be one day, but I think there are no hard feelings – he’s a great guy, he has given his all for the club, for the barge, always disciplined.”
When pressed if the club tried all it could to retain him, Zungu said he’s sure efforts were made.
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“I’m sure the club did. I think with everyone that signed a pre-contract elsewhere there have been words to try to keep them,” said Zungu.
“Unfortunately is like any other businesses – agents want to make fees here and there.
“If what you are offering is not matching and bettering what is being offered elsewhere, then you are not going to keep someone.”
It remains to be seen how AmaZulu will treat the issue of Makhaula since the news broke as when this happened last year, the player was frozen. After Siyethemba Sithebe signed a pre-contract with Chiefs in January last year, he was frozen out and did not play the entire second half.
According to the iDiski Times sources, Usuthu management was late to speak Makhaula if they wanted to keep it or not, leading the skipper to look elsewhere before it was too late.
