Lyle Lakay’s shock departure from Sundowns

Last week, DStv Premiership’s mid transfer window was closed. Not much has happened during the transfer window apart from two teams as many teams have bought players before the start of the season. Kermit Erasmus who has not played this season was signed by Orlando Pirates.

The biggest surprise in the Mamelodi Sundowns camp is the departure of Lyle Lakay after the purchase of Terrence Mashego from Cape Town City. Lakay was sent packing to Cape Town with no explanation given to him by Sundowns coaches.

All this happened after John Comitis sold Mashego to Sundowns that did not need him after being wanted by Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates who did not pounce on him.

At the beginning of this week, Lakay told SAFM Sport that he was told to go to Cape Town without any explanation other than what he was told by Rulani Mokwena which was not the full scope. Lakay has joined Cape Town City on a one-year loan, but his contract expires next year.

“Everyone was surprised by my departure. I was also very surprised,” Lakay said in a radio interview. “One minute I was in Johannesburg, the next I was told to prepare to go to Cape Town. It is not my decision; I was told to go to Cape Town City. I was not given the opportunity to choose where I wanted to go,” said Lakay.

“I still wanted to stay at Sundowns and fight for my place in the team. When Modiba and Ngobeni arrived, I fought for my place. Maybe things will be easier because I am returning to the team that Sundowns took me from. I have forgiven everything now. I never spoke to the coaches. The coach I spoke to is Rulani who did not say anything certain,” said Lakay.

Many people have accused Sundowns of poaching players because they do not want other teams to have high quality players like them. They denied this a few weeks ago, saying that the players seek to go to Sundowns.

Cape Town City coach, Eric Tinkler, was very happy to have a player like Lakay join his team that started the season badly. “Lakay is a very experienced player and he has played for City. He knows how we play,” said Tinkler.