It took a few games for Chaka to settle at Magosi and a few more to win the hearts of the hard-to-please fans. Cracks were always visible at the back when the Zimbabwean defender was missing in action, making the Chiefs fans very edgy and uncomfortable. Though he is idolised by fans, the media shy defender has always remained a true gentleman of the game.
Those close to Chaka point out that it is his discipline, both on and off the field, which has won him the hearts of many and made his stay in Botswana very comfortable. Speaking from his homeland where he has gone for a deserved break, Chaka said he will always cherish the fact that he won two league titles back to back while at Chiefs.
“It has been two wonderful years at Chiefs and winning back to back league titles with the club is something I will always cherish. Chiefs have become my home away from home. I’m not in a rush to sign a new contract as I’m still on a break. I will come back and sit down with my employers to chart the way forward,” he said.
Chaka dismissed speculation that he has already found a new club saying he will always give Chiefs first preference because he spent three wonderful years at the club. He however admitted that he has received a number of lucrative offers in Botswana and back in Zimbabwe.
“It is normal in the game of football to give your current club first preference when it comes to negotiations. I must however admit that I have received lots of offers from Zimbabwe and in Botswana. So, at the moment I can’t say for sure what the future holds for me,” he said.
Sources have revealed that league champions Township Rollers, Gaborone United, BDF XI and Extension Gunners are some of the local sides which on the trail of the towering defender. They added that it is no secret that Rollers’ head coach, Madinda Ndlovu, who was in charge of Chiefs when Chaka arrived, is a great admirer of the defender. The sources also posited that Chaka might opt out of Chiefs because a lot of things have not been going well at the club, which might eventually push him to leave. However, they said, Chaka genuinely loves Chiefs and would opt to stay if he was given guarantees that Molome and his management will sort things out at Magosi.
For his part, Chaka appealed to the fans to remain loyal to the club and give players much needed support.
“There were times when we really needed our supporters to rally behind us and help us get the result we wanted, but they were not there. Chiefs’ fans are marvellous but they tend to give up easily.
They must be encouraged to always be there for the club. When we’re down during a match they’re the ones who can lift us up,” Chaka said.
Chiefs’ spokesman Clifford Mogomotsi said they intend to table a new offer that will keep the hard tackling defender at their stable. He said Chaka has brought stability to their defence and it would be unfortunate to lose him.
“We have an open door policy at Chiefs. We will sit down with the player and offer him a new contract. If he is not happy with what we put on the table we will not stand on his way,” said Mogomotsi.
Responding to questions why they waited until the last minute to offer such a quality player a contract, Mogomotsi said they have been in contact with his agent to make him aware of their intentions.
“Before that our focus was on winning the league and we didn’t want any distractions,” he said. Chaka has been capped five times with the Zimbabwean national team.
