Makgalwa’s move to Simba as opposed to Chiefs explained: ‘It wasn’t an easy one’

Simba SC beat top teams for the services of Bafana Bafana international attacker Keletso Makgalwa.

Prior to his move to Wekundu wa Msimbazi, their rivals Young Africans SC, commonly referred to as Yanga SC, under respected Premier SoccerLeague tactician Manqoba Mngqithi tried to convince him otherwise but he stood his ground to join the Steve Barker project.

The 29-year-old further snubbed interest from Mamelodi Sundowns and Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs to make a move to the Tanzanian Premier League where he has established himself.

Makgalwa has since explained why he made a decision to leave for Tanzania as opposed to staying in Mzansi.

Makgalwa opens up on Simba move

“Coach Steve [Barker] called me. He was the first one to call me around April [2026], and he told me everything,” Makgalwa said as quoted by FARPost.

“He told me how he wants to use me, how he wants me to play in his team. It was a good offer for me that I couldn’t refuse. So I had to make that decision to go join coach Steve.

“It was not an easy one in terms of family-wise. I have a five-month-old kid, and I just got married four months ago. So I had to sit them down and make them understand that at the end of the day it’s work, and I need to take care of my family. So my wife understood, and my family as well, from home.

“It’s a good chance for me to also grow as a footballer while playing outside the country and explore, you know. So it was a good offer for me financially and also the Champions League. I wanted to go back and play in the [CAF] Champions League,” the attacker concluded.