Former Mamelodi Sundowns skipper and Bafana Bafana defender Thabo Nthethe is thrilled to be joining Premier Soccer League side Chippa United for the coming season.
Nthethe, 33, will bring heaps of experience to the Chilli Boys back four after finally penning a one-year deal with an option to renew yesterday. This follows three weeks of discussions.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic player will officially start at Chippa on July 1 as his contract with the Brazilians concludes at the end of this month.
“I am excited that I am going to play for Chippa, which is a good team,” Nthethe said yesterday.
“I am very excited that I have a chance to still prove myself, so it’s good to be going to PE.
“I will do my best and hopefully my best will help the team to achieve more.
“I am not going to say there is anything special that I am going to bring.
“I will just do my job and do what I have to do so that the team can succeed.”
Asked when he would be making his way to the Bay, Nthethe replied: “I still have to communicate with the chairman with regards to that.
“I have never stayed in PE before, I’ve only come there to play, so it will be a totally different ball game and a new lifestyle for me.”
Nthethe believes he will blend in well with the young Chippa side’s style of play.
“I have been following Chippa and I know how they play,” he said.“They have recalled their former coach Dan Malesela.
“He’s back and when he was there they were playing a good game, especially at the back, which I prefer.
“I know the style of play the coach wants from the guys and I have an idea of how the team plays.”
His agent, Tim Sukazi, said the deal between Chippa and Nthethe was not an easy one to seal as there were many issues to consider.
“The deal was finally concluded today after three weeks of discussions,” Sukazi said yesterday.
“It was not easy considering Chippa is signing someone I would call a senior citizen in football terms.
“He is someone with experience and they had to think carefully about what his contribution would be.
“It was not the easiest deal but I am glad that both parties are happy.”
Nthethe joined Sundowns in 2014 and, during his stay, he captained the Pretoria side to the Caf Championship and shared in the club’s recent success of winning the PSL league.
Numerous attempts to get comment from Chippa United owner Siviwe Mpengesi regarding the deal were unsuccessful.
Chippa have also signed National First Division players Boikanyo Komane from Royal Eagles and Ntuxeko Nation Ndlovu from Cape Town All Stars.
Cape Town All Stars forward Lucky Setelele will also be making his way to the Port Elizabeth soccer side next season.