Cape Town Spurs CEO changes tune on Chiefs duo Velebayi and Baartman after lost appeal

Cape Town Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou has changed his stance over the departure of his players Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman to Kaizer Chiefs.

Efstathiou has finally eaten humble pie after SAFA arbitrator Hilton Epstein ruled that the players are indeed free agents, agreeing with an earlier ruling that declared the players free to join a club of their choice.

This was after Spurs were relegated from the National First Division to the third tier as the rules only recognise the PSL and second tier as the professional leagues, rendering the players free agents and eligible to sign for any club.

Efstathiou wants one final meeting with his ‘sons’

Chiefs pounced and signed the two attacking players but Spurs filed a complaint, which they lost, and then unsuccessfully appealed, but now, Efstathiou has surrendered and just wants to meet his ‘sons’ and say a proper goodbye.

“I would like to still meet them at some point and share my thoughts,” Efstathiou told FARPost.

“They know I always had time for them. We’ve always had good relationships with our players. Sometimes, it’s like father and son. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when your son leaves home without saying goodbye.”

Cape Town-born duo set for Kaizer Chiefs debut

The two players were raised in the Cape flats of Philippi and joined Spurs in aged 12, honing their careers and impressing especially when the club was promoted to the PSL two years ago.

 The duo had attracted the interest of Chiefs last year but Efstathiou quoted a higher fee that Amakhosi opted against paying.

Chiefs, however, had the last laugh as they got the players for free and are now set to unleash them after the international break following their registration.