Andre Arendse, who played for SuperSport United and is now the assistant coach at Matsatsantsa has opened up on losing Thatayaone Ditlhokwe who signed a pre-contract with Kaizer Chiefs.
The left centre-back is in the final three months of his SuperSport United contract. Ditlhokwe has missed only three matches for the Tshwane giants this season. Andre Arendse says Ditlhokwe has been important to their defensive structure since he arrived at their club.
“Thatoyaone Ditlhokwe has been an integral part of the defensive structure at SuperSport United since day one. He came in as a leader, as a captain of his national team. And that’s what we were looking for in our defensive structure,” says Arendse in an exclusive interview with ThisIsFootball.Africa
“He’s a left-footed central defender, which is very rare to find in South African football these days. I believe he grew from a leadership perspective and he led the team for a very long time.”
The Botswana international joined SuperSport from Township Rollers in January 2020. Arendse indicated the departure of Ditlhokwe will leave a huge gap in their team’s defensive structure because it’s not easy to find a left-footed defender nowadays.
“He’s going to leave a massive gap in our defensive structure. To lose him it would be a massive blow to the club and to the technical team. Because it’s critical for the technical team to replace him as best as possible.
“It’s difficult to find a left-footed centre back but that’s the challenge that the technical team has to replace him. I believe he’ll go on to achieve massive things in his career,” he added.
“Ditlhokwe has not just been a regular starter in the team this season only simply but he brings you stability in the back four.”
Ditlhokwe who captains the Botswana national team has penned a four-year contract with Amakhosi and is expected to begin his journey at Chiefs in July 2023.
Also Read: Maseko ‘is an absolute revelation’ – Arendse on South Africa’s new starlet