Did Kaizer Chiefs bottle up? Ex-Guingamp star concedes he was ready to join Amakhosi

Experienced Sekhukhune United midfielder Lebogang Phiri has revealed Kaizer Chiefs had a chance to sign him before eventually moving to their Premier Soccer League rivals.

The 31-year-old has spent most of his time abroad representing the likes of Brondby, Guingamp, Caykur Rizespor, Paris FC, and Guingamp before making a return home, where he is turning for Babina Noko.

This season, he has already made four Premier Soccer League appearances for Sekhukhune.

How Chiefs missed out

In his interview with iDiski Times, Phiri explained why his wish to play for Amakhosi was not realised.

“In all honesty, I’m one person who’s been transparent regarding transfers and all of that,” he opened up.

“So the first club that I came to with a proposal was Kaizer Chiefs because they’ve been monitoring me throughout my last years of my career abroad.

“And I’d given the chairman my word that the first minute that I decide to come back home, I’d be knocking on your door, which I did. We didn’t come to terms with our contract negotiations, and that’s a part of football,” Phiri added.

The move to Sekhukhune United

“So Sekhukhune United have also been wanting my services,” the midfielder continued.

“Of course, I wasn’t available based on the fact that I was still negotiating with Kaizer Chiefs, and once that was out of the way, of course, I spoke to them and got given the opportunity to play 45 minutes against Tuks [University of Pretoria].

“And the coaching staff was happy, the chairman was happy, and the rest is history. I’m a part of the Babina Noko family. I’m hoping to achieve great things with the club,” Phiri concluded.