Sekhukhune United midfielder Lebogang Phiri reveals details of failed Kaizer Chiefs move

The 31-year-old former Bidvest Wits and Brondby was left without a club following his exit from Guingamp at the end of last season.

After more than a decade outside of South Africa, Phiri was eager to make a return home and continue his career with Amakhosi.

But after failing to agree on terms, a move to Sekhukhune quickly took shape and Phiri has already made four top-flight apperances for the in-form Babina Noko.

Speaking to iDiski Times, the former Bafana Bafana player explained that he stayed true to his word by giving Chiefs first option on his signing.

He said: "In all honesty, I'm one person who's been transparent regarding transfers and all of that.

"So the first club that I came to with a proposal was Kaizer Chiefs because they've been monitoring me throughout my last years of my career abroad.

"And I'd given the chairman my word that the first minute that I decide to come back home, I'd be knocking on your door, which I did. We didn't come to terms with our contract negotiations, and that's a part of football."

Phiri added that he is excited to be with Sekhukhune and hopes to "achieve great things with the club".

"So Sekhukhune have also been wanting my services. Of course, I wasn't available based on the fact that I was still negotiating with Kaizer Chiefs, and once that was out of the way, of course, I spoke to them and got given the opportunity to play 45 minutes against Tuks [University of Pretoria]," he said.

“And the coaching staff was happy, the chairman was happy, and the rest is history. I'm a part of the Babina Noko family. I'm hoping to achieve great things with the club.”