Ex-Chiefs midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe joins Flamingo FC

Former Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe has signed with Flamingo FC, a team in Stream B of the SAFA King Cetswayo Regional League, according to iDiski Times. The fourth-division club has officially announced the move.

Sithebe is 33 and was born in KwaZulu-Natal. The report says he has been without a professional club for more than a year. He left Richards Bay in February last year, and that was his last stop in the professional ranks.

His best years came at AmaZulu

The strongest part of Sithebe’s career was spent at AmaZulu. iDiski Times says he turned out 132 times for the club, finding the net eight times and setting up nine goals for team-mates. He also played twice for Bafana Bafana, both appearances coming in 2020.

His move to Chiefs raised expectations, but the report says he did not meet them. He played 39 matches for the club in all competitions and did not score.

A difficult spell at Richards Bay

Richards Bay signed him with the aim of getting his career going again. According to the report, however, he struggled to establish himself there. He featured in eight matches before leaving for Mbombela United. The report gives no further detail about his time at Mbombela United.

What happens next

Flamingo FC will hope his experience helps the team in its bid for promotion to the third division. The report does not say how long his contract runs or when he might make his debut for the club.

For supporters who follow football below the professional level, the signing is a reminder that former top-flight players and Bafana Bafana internationals often continue their careers in the regional leagues. Those in KwaZulu-Natal can watch how Flamingo get on as they chase a place in the next division up.

This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.