‘My only regret was not signing for Kaizer Chiefs’

A move to Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns is often regarded as once in a lifetime. 

For some that opportunity to play for Chiefs, Pirates or Sundowns never comes, for some it does but doesn’t materialise. 

Phalane had an opportunity to join Chiefs

Other players choose to reject it or others are not released by their clubs. The latter seemed to be the case for Lantshene Phalane. After a stellar 2019/2020 season with Celtic, the tough tackling midfield has an offer from Chiefs. At the time, however, he had already extended his deal with Siwelele who would later become Royal AM. The move never happened and in the end his only move to Soweto was through Moroka Swallows. 

Speaking to FARPost, Phalane admits that the failed switch to Chiefs is possibly the only regret of his career. 

“If there is one regret that I have was during the 2019/20 season when I was supposed to join Chiefs. I remember the last game before we went to COVID-19, where they beat us 5-3 in Durban. When that season finished, I felt I was ready for that move, but you know what? You can be ready to move, but things don’t go according to plan. When you move you should also make sure that it’s the coach that wants you. Sometimes, a club will want you, but when a coach arrives, things change. It’s something that also works against players,” said Phalane. 

Phalane then also hinted that he may have rejected Chiefs for game time purposes.

Why it didn’t happen

“What I wanted at the time was to play football. I don’t choose any team; all I want is to play and enjoy football because it’s something that I love. It’s my passion. There will always be regrets and mistakes, but at the end of the day, I do what I love. We learn something new every day. So, I would not know how things would have panned out (at Chiefs). So at that time, I was playing week in and week out at Celtic. But I thought about it and asked myself questions like, “What if I am not even a benchwarmer, but I am always in the stands?” Phalane continued. 

Chiefs fans, would Phalane have added value to your squad all of those years ago? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.