Seema lifts lid on reasons behind Kaizer Chiefs loanees’ struggles at Siwelele

Siwelele FC coach Lehlohonolo Seema has broken his silence over the limited gametime of Kaizer Chiefs loanees Happy Mashiane and Samkelo Zwane at the club.

The two Chiefs academy graduates joined the Bloemfontein-based club in January this year in search of gametime after falling down the packing order at Naturena.

However, things did not go according to plan as Mashiane made just one appearance, managing 45 minutes, while Zwane fared better with seven games for Seema’s side, starting three.

That was still seen as very little for the two players who were highly-rated when they made the loan move from Chiefs but the tactician says there were circumstances beyond his control.   

Why did Chiefs loanees fail to play?

“They are good players with a lot of potential. However, I said to them also they were in a similar position that they had not been playing, [not] getting gametime at their previous club and when they came here, they came to a place where I was looking for players that are ready,” Seema said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.

“Unfortunately, it took them long and because we loved them, we liked them and we know their potential, we gave them opportunities but I had to make sure I have a place of winning games.”

Seema says Happy Mashiane and Samkelo Zwane were not ready when they arrived at Siwelele from Chiefs, that's why they were not playing . pic.twitter.com/AQ8VcO5Wrl

— Akani Nwanati (@AkanimiltonM) June 4, 2026

Besides the need to win, Seema also hinted that disciplinary issues could have been behind his decision to use the dup sparingly.

“I called them in my office both of them and they know what I said to them. Hopefully, they took my words,” he added.

Seema drops hint about disciplinary issues

“We are living in social media times and sometimes as supporters, as fans we have our favourites and when they come in numbers hammering the coach because they are not playing, they think; ‘yeah, maybe I am good but coach doesn’t like me.’

“But the coach is looking at you in the field of play, at training. You have to be early; you have to show the coach that you want it. I always told my players that I am not here to coach your attitude, your commitment and discipline.

“That is not me, I am here to make sure the team is ready. I am preparing the team for the match. A lot of our players are struggling with that they here out there and you see some players coming and saying… just because he was in the front page, and that is why our players will always remain potential.”

Reports last month suggested Siwelele are keen to keep Mashiane and Zwane but have set a condition that a deal for the duo would only happen if they are allowed to sign them as free agents.