Chiefs get first option on Mmodi

Golden Arrows have given Kaizer Chiefs the first option to sign Bafana Bafana™s flying winger Pule Mmodi, SABC Sport has learnt this weekend.

Mmodi, who is in his second season and has impressed Bafana head coach Hugo Broos to an extent that he waited for him to receive his passport before calling him up again, has been strongly linked with Chiefs in this transfer window as Amakhosi look to rebuild their team after parting way with 12 players.

SABC Sport recently reported that Mmodi, whose contract with Arrows is expiring at the end of June 2023, has been close to joining Chiefs after discussions between the two clubs were opened.

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The latest coming from impeccable sources close to Abafana Bes'thende this weekend is that they remain willing to do the deal with The Glamour Boys enjoying an inside lane in the race.

"The first club that we have been talking to about Mmodi is Kaizer Chiefs and they continue to have the first option on this deal. They have shown serious interest from the word go and it™s only fair that we give them the first option," said the source.

"We will only start considering other offers when nothing comes out of these negotiations but, for now, we will have to keep it there."

Mmodi joined Arrows in October 2020 from GladAfrica Championship side Uthongathi FC and really came to the fore last season in what was a remarkable campaign for the club as they finished in fourth place in the DStv Premiership under then-coach Mandla Ncikazi.

To date, the 29-year-old, who is yet to be capped at international level, has finished two seasons in the top flight and is one of the quickest wingers in the Premier Soccer League at present. He has scored a total of 10 goals and provided three assists in that period.

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SABC Sport also understands that Chiefs had first followed Mmodi at Uthongathi during the bio-bubble in the 2019/2020 season but Abafana Besthende, known for their sharp eye on their neighbouring talent in KwaZulu-Natal, got to the Free Stater first.

It™s also believed that Arrows are very keen to sell in this upcoming season, otherwise, Mmodi will leave on a free transfer in June next year.

With Amakhosi on a mission to fine-tune their attack, after losing the likes of Samir Nurkovic, Leonardo Castro and Lazalous Kambole, it remains to be seen if they will follow up and finalize a move that their multitudes of supporters are already buzzing about.

Chiefs have already signed seven players this season, former Stellenbosch FC duo Zitha Kwinika, Ashely Du Preez, Swallows FC trio of Dillan Solomons, Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Lehlogonolo Matlou and Bafana Bafana international Siyabonga Sithebe and Yusuf Maart.

By Velile Mnyandu