Chippa United coach Thabo September has revealed that contract length disagreements prevented the club from signing former Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus.

Erasmus, released by Pirates at the end of last season, sought to return to his hometown of Port Elizabeth by joining Chippa United. While the deal appeared imminent, negotiations stalled over the contract duration.

“That deal we couldn’t agree on certain things, the terms, especially the time frame,” said September after Chippa beat Golden Arrows 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 match at Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday.  

“We just couldn’t agree because another needed a longer contract and another needed a shorter deal.”

Erasmus subsequently signed with Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars.

A signing would have reunited Erasmus with head coach September and assistant coach Mabhuti Khenyeza. All three players won the Nedbank Cup in the 2011/12 season with SuperSport United under Gavin Hunt, defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 at Orlando Stadium. Notably, both September and Erasmus scored in that victory.

September, who also won the Nedbank Cup in 2015/16 with SuperSport, acknowledged his strong desire to bring Erasmus to the club.

“It was going to be good for us to have him because he can be a striker, he can play as number 10 and he is experienced,” said September of Erasmus, who has won this cup five times, more than any other. 

“We have young players who we have introduced like Giovanni Philander and Aviwe Mqokozz, all these players that are young, it was going to help them. 

“But there is Andile Jali, there is Justice Chabalala, there is Bienvenu Eva Nga, Stanley Nwabali, that can help the boys. But it didn’t happen with Erasmus.” 

Chippa United, who reached the Nedbank Cup final in the 2020/21 season, joined Mamelodi Sundowns, Marumo Gallants, Baroka FC, Cape Town Spurs, and Durban City in the round of 16.