‘I was called a traiter for joining Pirates’ – Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Siyabonga Nomvethe has revealed that he was called a traitor for joining Orlando Pirates in 2006.

Having signed from African Wanderers in 1998, ‘Bhele’ made a name for himself at Amakhosi, scoring 42 times in 29 matches for the Soweto giants. In 2001, he was signed by Italian outfit Udinese but spent most of his time loaned out to several Italian clubs.

In 2006, Novethe returned to South Africa but did not join Kaizer Chiefs, instead he joined Orlando Pirates in what was a shock move. He scored four times in 14 matches for the Buccaneers before he went back to Europe.

“Chiefs wanted to sign me on a long-term contract,” Nomvethe told iDiski Times.

“But I was only home for six months and I wanted to go back to Europe. Pirates showed interest, and they agreed on a six-month term, and I joined them.

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Nomvete talks about joining Pirates

“I did not bother myself about people who felt I was a traitor by joining Pirates instead of Chiefs because I knew what was happening.”

The former Bafana Bafana striker did return to the PSL in 2009 but did not join Chiefs or Pirates. He signed with Moroka Swallows where he spent seven years with them before moving to AmaZulu in 2016.