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Mpho Makola, who has played for Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City and Bafana Bafana, has revealed newly promoted side Polokwane City offered him a two-year contract with no figures.
The midfielder finally broke his silence on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified, telling host Andile Ncube negotiations turned sour despite assurances from chairman Johnny Mogaladi.
Makola initially joined Rise and Shine as a free agent with eight matches to go in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
“Prior to me signing the contract for the remaining games of the season, the discussion with the chairman was that should I help the team get promoted to the DStv Premiership then I have a two-year contract waiting for me,” the 37-year-old said.
“I started pre-season with team, two weeks into it I was offered the contract. But it did not have any figures attached to it. I didn’t want to sign a blank page – there was no information about what I would be getting paid.”
Mogaladi refused to comment on claims made by Makola.
“It was the first time I’ve seen anything like that. I was then told the chairman will call me and meet up with me. But until today, that’s not happened. The only communication that came was to say ‘thank you’ for helping the team get promoted. The message did not come from him, but someone else,” added the player.
It’s not clear what Makola’s next step will be, but he insists the desire to end an impressive career without being taken advantage of.
“I am not bitter or angry, just disappointed that the chairman himself didn’t come and speak to us [striker Joseph Mhlongo was offered the same deal] like it was the case when I signed the short-term contract,” he explained.
“I’ve always thought I could go another year or two, but people around me think I can go for more. All I want is to end my career on a high and do justice to my legacy instead of allowing people to kick me out like that. I am not chasing money, but I don’t want to be exploited.”
