Just as his Kaizer Chiefs career seemed to be taking off, Botswana national team captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe has departed the club.
Chiefs confirmed the news on Friday, announcing that the defender has signed with Libyan powerhouse Al Ittihad.
Ditlhokwe’s exit comes as a surprise, given his recent rise to regular starting status under coach Nasreddine Nabi.
The 26-year-old had made 11 appearances in all competitions this season. During his year and a half with the Soweto giants, Ditlhokwe amassed 32 appearances across all competitions, including 17 in the Premiership during his debut season (2023/24) after joining from SuperSport United on a free transfer.
At Al Ittihad, Ditlhokwe will team up with fellow Botswana international Tumisang Orebonye, who recently made a US$500,000 (R9.2 million) move to the Libyan club from AS FAR Rabat.
CHIEFS CONFIRM DITLHOKWE EXIT
In a statement, Amakhosi stated that they “reached an agreement with Libyan club, Al-Ittihad for the transfer of defender, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe”.
“Ditlhokwe, who hails from Botswana and serves as the captain of his national team, Dipitse (The Zebras), joined Kaizer Chiefs at the start of the 2023-24 season from SuperSport United,” said Amakhosi.
“During his 18-month tenure with Amakhosi, he made 32 appearances across all competitions, primarily playing as a left-sided centre-back and, more recently, as a left-back in coach Nasreddine Nabi’s team.
“Affectionately known as ‘TT’, the 26-year-old played his final match for Amakhosi last Friday in a 1-0 win over Stellenbosch in Cape Town. He is set to depart this weekend for Libya’s capital, Tripoli, where he will meet his new teammates and coaches.”