TS Galaxy have rejected a 4 million rand offer from Kaizer Chiefs for Seluleko Mahlambi, whose minimum price is set at 10 million. The saga comes ahead of the two clubs’ clash in the Carling Knockout Cup.
The saga is shaking up the South African market ahead of a showdown on the pitch. Tim Sukazi, chairman of TS Galaxy, has revealed he turned down an official 4 million rand proposal tabled by Kaizer Motaung Jr, Kaizer Chiefs’ sporting director, for left winger Seluleko Mahlambi, according to The Citizen.
TS Galaxy have no intention of selling their 22-year-old starlet on the cheap. According to Briefly and KickOff, the club have set the minimum asking price at 10 million rand, around €500,000, for a player coming off a breakthrough season in the Betway Premiership.
Sukazi confirms the rejection
Speaking on Metro FM, the official detailed his position: “There’s never been a monetary offer outside Kaizer Chiefs … Kaizer Jr tabled a R4m offer,” he said, as quoted by The Citizen.
According to Briefly, the Kaizer Chiefs board have chosen to abandon negotiations in the face of that price demand. The information is unconfirmed.
Just one standout season
The debate centres on the player’s value. Mahlambi, the younger brother of former Sundowns player Phakamani Mahlambi, broke through last season with 6 goals and 6 assists in the Betway Premiership. He was nominated for the PSL Young Player of the Season and the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player awards, according to Transfermarkt.
For Katlego Mashego, a former Bafana Bafana striker turned pundit, the fee is excessive. “The boy did very well last season, but will he end Chiefs’ league title drought, maybe if they are also going to sign other players? Spending R10 million on one player will not help a club improve,” he told KickOff.
Some observers point to a similar model: the sale of Puso Dithejane to Chicago Fire, in MLS, for 16 million rand, according to Soccer Laduma.
Mtsweni counting on his winger
Interim head coach Esau Mtsweni has confirmed the immense potential of his winger, whom he places at the heart of the sporting project, according to The Herald.
The player himself, meanwhile, has set out his ambitions for the 2026-2027 campaign: he is targeting 14 to 15 league goals, he told Goal South Africa.
The two clubs meet in the Carling Knockout Cup at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.