March 15 2019 – KAIZER Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has reportedly identified Sundowns’s Hlompho Kekana to replace Zimbabwean Willard Katsande, while compatriot striker Cuthbert Malajila is among the five players on their way out at Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 33-year-old, Malajila has struggled for game time since recovering from a knee injury which ruled him out of action for over a year and has noy made it into the playing squad since featuring for a minute against AmaZulu in his only appearance after his return in January.
Meanwhile Katsande seems to have fallen out of favour since the arrival of German coach last December. He has been only making cameo appearances of late and last started in the first XI at the end of January against Cape Town City.
He returned to the squad and featured in the last game versus Maritzburg United after spending three games watching from the stands.
“Middendorp is not a fan of Katsande’s style of play,” a source at the club told The Citizen newspaper. “He believes that he gives away far too much possession.”
“He wants someone like Kekana of Sundowns, someone who can turn defence into attack with accurate passes and Katsande is not good at passing long balls.
“This is the reason why (George) Maluleka has been used in Katsande’s position in recent matches.”
Katsande’s contract with Chiefs is set to expire in June next year. -Soccer 24
