Siyethemba Sithebe, a new signing for Richards Bay, admits he viewed joining Kaizer Chiefs as the pinnacle of his career, but things didn’t go as planned.

Sithebe was released by Amakhosi at the end of last season. This came as the Soweto giants underwent a rebuild following their disappointing 10th-place finish in the DStv Premiership.

This result marked Amakhosi’s worst finish in the PSL era, prompting significant changes. The management revamped the squad and technical team, appointing new coach Nasreddine Nabi.

“I don’t have any regrets,” Sithebe said when questioned about his performance at Chiefs. “Of course, when you sign a contract, you think it’s the ultimate achievement. But then, there can be internal issues within the team.”

Chiefs signed the 31-year-old at the beginning of the 2022/23 season after his abrupt departure from AmaZulu. Usuthu banished him in the second half of the 2021/22 season after discovering he had signed a pre-contract with Amakhosi while they were negotiating an extension with him.

Despite featuring in 39 matches across all competitions during his two seasons with Chiefs, Sithebe never managed to score a goal or provide an assist. Injuries also hampered his playing time at times.

While a return to AmaZulu was a possibility, Sithebe ultimately chose Richards Bay due to several factors. “It’s closer to home,” he explained. “My family is also nearby, and their offer was better than others.”

Sithebe impressed with Usuthu, who finished second in the 2020/21 season. When asked if this was a chance to recapture that form, he responded cautiously.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “The environment is different; these are not the same teams, and the pressure is different. As a player, I need to adapt. However, I want to perform well and contribute significantly to the club.”

With the signings of Sithebe and Thabiso Kutumela among others, Bay’s management has set the ambitious target of a top-four finish next season.