South African giants Kaizer Chiefs have announced the departure of their long-serving captain, Erick Mathoho, who has been with the club for the last 11 years.The towering central defender has been a pillar for the Chiefs for the last decade, but the 2022–23 campaign has proved to be a difficult one for the player as he has struggled with injuries and a lack of playtime. He missed the best part of the campaign.##NAJAVA_MECA_7277163##There has been much speculation regarding his future in recent months, and now the club has ended the speculation by announcing that the central defender will depart when the season concludes.”One of Kaizer Chiefs’ longest-serving players, Mulomowandau Erick Mathoho, will sadly leave the club as we conclude the 2022–23 DStv Premiership season. Mathoho, who is now 33, joined the Chiefs in July 2012 as a 22-year-old from Bloemfontein Celtic, where he spent three seasons. We wish ‘Tower’ well in the future,” read the statement from the club.During his spell at the club, he won two league titles, one FA Cup title, and the Carling Black Label Cup. He has also played for the national team, Bafana Bafana and featured at the 2013 AFCON before Bafana exited in the quarterfinal stage. He has around 40 caps to his name.Thank you Eric “Tower” Mathoho pic.twitter.com/MQKnACfRM8— 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 ✊ (@SK_Ramosoeu15) May 25, 2023 Signs that he would leave were clearer a week ago when his agent, Bisia Michaels, hinted that talks between him and the club over a lack of playtime pointed at the player getting it elsewhere.”We have had extensive and professional conversations with the senior management, and from those conversations, we can clearly see a future away from Naturena with Tower playing football for the next three years or so,” Michaels told SABC Sport.”I wouldn’t tie it down to it being solely their decision. We have had suitors for Tower, probably since the first days of him not playing regularly, making inquiries, so we do know that we have a few options, which I am not at liberty to discuss with you yet”.Other key players linked with a move out of the Chiefs are captain Itumeleg Khune and Zimbabwean attacker Khama Billiat, who has struggled since crossing over from Mamelodi Sundowns.Vihiga Queens to play Division One side on coronation match after Gaspo snub
