During the pre-season, it was reported for quite some time that Bafana Bafana playmaker Pule Mmodi was one of the latest stars on Kaizer Chiefs’ target list, but eventually it emerged that he is now set to stay with Golden Arrows as negotiations hit a stumbling block.
According to some reports, Arrows were actually seeking ‘less than R3-million’ as his current contract expires at the end of the 2022/2023 season, and he would be free to sign for any team in the next January window.
Ultimately, Mmodi has refocused his efforts at Arrows, found good form and fought his way onto the Bafana Bafana radar.
It’s now reported by The KosiBay News that Arrows are keen to extend the contract of Mmodi, who has less than 10 months left on his contract. Such an extension would serve as a real show of intent and end any hopes Chiefs had of snapping up the 29-year-old in the next transfer window. Amakhosi are said to be monitoring the situation, though.
Mmodi recently opened up on his emotions after the Chiefs move didn’t materialise.
“I was never disturbed. Since the move didn’t happen, I told myself that I will work hard and there’s nothing I can do,” Mmodi said after he was asked by iDiski Times. “But initially I was down, but there was nothing I could do.”
Arrows co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi also previously shared his thoughts on the saga.
“It wasn’t easy, I must be honest. In our first week it was very difficult to deal with Pule psychologically because he was too sure that he is leaving the club,” the Arrows coach said, as quoted by SABC Sport.
“But what we reminded him is that the club is not fighting [against] Pule. The club is the one that said, ‘Pule, if you find something, come to us and we will release you.’ The club was also active in trying to help him find something.
“It was just not meant to be. But he is better now and has accepted the situation and is now performing…ready for the new season. He struggled in early pre-season [for] a few days, especially the first week from the holidays. Now he is ready, and if we are playing tomorrow then Pule will play and he will perform,” Vilakazi concluded
Although some rumours had suggested Mmodi had pushed for a transfer request, his agent Solomon Seobe always refuted this.
“There is no agreement between the two clubs [Arrows and Chiefs]. Nothing has changed. He is still contracted to Arrows until next year,” he stated.
“If there is no agreement, it means he will stay and honour his contract with Arrows. Then next year he would be able to sign with a club of his choice.”
