Cape Town dumps Kaliati
Flames winger Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliati is expected to start trials at South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) club Amazulu after another PSL side Cape Town City yesterday announced they are no longer interested in him.
The 19-year-old signed a pre-contract with City in March to set him up for a five-year deal this December, but the club’s owner John Comitis was yesterday quoted by www.timeslive.co.za as saying they have decided not to retain the teenager as the arrival of other high-profile players Teko Modise and Ayanda Patosi means his services are no longer required.
The former Be Forward Wanderers player had impressed City’s former coach Eric Tinkler but has not been seen by the new boss Benni McCarthy.
Kaliati could not be reached yesterday as he had reportedly left for South Africa to start pre-season training with Amazulu.
His manager South African Mike Makabo was also not available for comment.
Nevertheless, Wanderers team manager Steve Madeira said yesterday that Kaliati told him he was in South Africa not to pursue his soccer dream at City, but going for trials at Amazulu.
The club has just returned to the elite league after buying newly promoted outfit Thanda Royal Zulu.
“He left for South Africa yesterday, but he said he was going to Amazulu for trials. He is now a free agent and is free to try his luck at any club of his choice through his manager Makabo,” he said.
In spite of that, Madeira said it is sad that City have decided to dump the player.
He said: “By letting him sign the pre-contract and delaying to announce their disinterest in his services, City denied Kaliati an opportunity of showcasing his talent to potential suitors with the Flames during the recent Council for Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup and Chan [Championship of African Nations]”.
According to player marketing expert Felix Ngamanya Sapao, Kaliati needs to be compensated for the botched deal with City because a pre-contract is enough proof that he was tied to the club.
“But that will depend on what was contained in the pre-contract. If the agreement had an exit clause, that is, what would happen once the deal falls through, then he stands a chance of being compensated,” he said.
