Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Tefu Mashamaite has revealed how he was kicked out of the club despite having helped the club achieve glory during his four-year stay at Naturena.
Mashamaite joined Chiefs from the now defunct Bidvest Wits in 2011 and was a key part of their success over that period as they won two league titles but as his contract neared its end, negotiations for a new one started.
However, it was a long and tedious process that ended in tears for the defender as he did not get a new deal after he was accused of being ‘greedy’ for asking for better terms in his new contract despite a feeling in his camp that he fully deserved it.
Why did Mashamaite fall out with Chiefs?
“My contract was running out and we started negotiations in January 2015. We went back and forth, and at the end of the day, we couldn’t agree on the deal I felt like I deserved because remember when I came from Wits, it was more of like Chiefs telling me we going to give you this money,” Mashamaite said in an interview with Lorenz Kohler.
“Over the years, I proved myself and if I go to the negotiating table with two league titles, Player’s Player of the Season, Defender of the Season and Player of the Season then I’ve got leverage. At the end of the day, because you’re dealing with the machine, the machine is always going to accuse you of greed.
“I was always trying to look after myself because we are in this to take care of our families and make money while we still can. I felt I had leverage to go on the table and say, ‘I deserve to earn this much’.
Defender defends his demands for a better pay
Mashamaite is saddened at how his request for an improved contract was received and feels he was treated unfairly by a club that he gave so much to.
“People always think it was a crazy amount but I wanted to be amongst the top 10 (earners) at Chiefs. I played for three years and only missed three games. Can you imagine the amount of matches I played at Chiefs, didn’t get injured or get suspensions,” added Mashamaite.
“They made us feel like we ganged up against Chiefs. That was the narrative that was constructed and I didn’t even talk to Khune or Mandla. A narrative was created and that started saying we are rebelling against Chiefs, I got sacked with two weeks left in the contract and then you’re told to come back and apologise.”
Mashamaite joined Swedish side BK Hacken following his departure from Chiefs but lasted just one season before returning to South Africa where he played for two years after which he switched to Baberwa FC.
