Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole has chosen to remove
off-field distractions ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by
renewing his contract with Portuguese club Tondela until 2027.
The decision, confirmed this week, came as a surprise to some, as players
often delay contract talks before a major tournament to leverage strong
performances for a better deal or a move to a bigger club.
Sithole’s agent, Manuel Tomas, explained to the Siya crew that the renewal
was a strategic move to allow the 26-year-old to focus solely on football.
Sithole is part of South Africa’s 25-man squad for the upcoming AFCON, a
prime platform to impress watching clubs.
“What we did is try to avoid everything (speculations) because he was at the
end of his contract; it is not good for his focus,” Tomas stated. “Now we’ve
renewed the contract, and I think it’s better for him to be only focused on
the international competition without the disturbance.”
Tomas revealed that the midfielder had found it difficult to concentrate
amid interest from clubs, particularly from South Africa. “It’s difficult to
focus on the work, because everyone from South Africa they call him,” he
said.
Praising Sithole’s professionalism and growth since moving to Portugal as a
young player, Tomas also highlighted the player’s resilience in returning
from a “big injury” suffered during AFCON qualifiers against Sudan.
Following the previous AFCON, Sithole attracted reported interest from clubs
in Italy’s Serie A, France, and Germany. When asked if Tondela would be open
to a sale after this edition should a significant offer arrive, Tomas
indicated the door remains open, saying, “It will depend on the club and the
offer, we will see.”
For now, however, Sithole’s immediate focus is clear: representing his
country with a settled club future already secured.
