Soccer people have said and are still saying; it's either management's fault or Sibusiso Zuma's salary fault (Hahaha! Everyone who have said this must enter the next “So You Think You’re Funny?” comedy show).
Let’s look at it in the management side of it according to Mamelodi Sundowns and Lerato Chabangu’s representatives - the negotiations started back in last year. Futher more Chabangu’s agent said that financial Sundowns offered him a great offer.
This was also supported by Sundowns via Sundowns website saying if Chabangu signed with Sundowns he would have been earning in the region of R3 million annual (per year for those who don’t know) and this includes bonuses from the team.
The reason given by Chabangu's agent for not signing with Sundowns is that Sundowns refuse to include the sellout if overseas teams want him. Who can blame Sundowns for that (only those who will be contenders of “So You Think You’re Funny?” next year).
For heaven or hell sake, Sundowns is a big team that is always in CAF competition, if they agreed to that and Sundowns was about to play 5 important games and Euro team wanted Chabangu by that time. Sundowns would have no choice but to release him. In this case one can’t blame Sundowns management for this; they started negotiations five months ago.
Josta Dladla Issue: Dladla's contract was supposed to be ended last season, but Sundowns erase their one year rights to previous contract. This according to me made him angry because he was getting the same money that he signed his previous contract.
Where did I get this thought? When Dladla was interviewed by Newspaper Soccer publication, Dladla sounded angry about the rights that Sundowns execises without increasing his pay. He was also asked about the rumour that Kaizer Chiefs were after him.
He didn’t say no, he just said leave them! We will see after the end of my contract. And what is happening now? This just shows you that Dladla never gave Sundowns a chance to negotiate a new contract. Verdict - I also don’t blame the management.
Dillon Sheppard Issue: The past week Sheppard wrote that Sundowns are offering him good offer financial, but the problem is the length of contract. Looking at the past two seasons Sheppard didn’t played much games at Sundowns nor make great impact.
Sundowns management where right to offer him short contract. The problem from Sundowns management was that they started late to negotiate his contract and by this they invited oppositions to discuss with their players. Verdict - Sundowns management guilt!
As for Soccer people who think Sibusiso Zuma’s salary is the issue, all I will say again is they must join SO YOU THINK YOU ARE FUNNY next year.
But if really players are concern about Zuma’s salary they must act professionally. Zuma negotiated his contract alone and they also negotiated theirs alone. Zuma was no where near their negotiations. Even if that was the case why Chiefs player aren’t leaving Chiefs cause José Torrealba is earning in Zuma's region?
DR NDIVHUWO (Diskioff writer)
E: doctor.diskioff@gmail.com
Remember it’s not personal but my view!
