Gaston Sirino’s contract with Kaizer Chiefs is up at the end of the season, and the club have to decide whether or not to give him a new deal.
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Uruguayan star Gaston Sirino is approaching the end of his contract with Kaizer Chiefs, and the club must now decide whether to offer him a new deal or part ways with him.
Sirino arrived at Naturena after six years with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won a handful of honours and made a name for himself as one of the most creative players in South African football. His most productive spell came in the 2019/20 season, when he delivered 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions – a benchmark that underlined his influence at his peak.
At Chiefs, he was expected to play a key role in the club’s evolution by leading and guiding their young players. In the beginning, it started out well. Sirino looked every bit the big player, contributing one goal and five assists from 18 league matches last season, and ending the campaign with four goals and six assists in 25 games across all competitions as they made a promising start under Nasreddine Nabi.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last. Sirino’s form tapered off badly as the season went along, and the decline has been more pronounced this term. The 35-year-old has managed just one goal and two assists from 15 Betway Premiership appearances, with those his only goal contributions in all competitions this season – a sharp drop-off that has seen his role shift to that of an impact player off the bench.
Players such as Mduduzi Shabalala, Glody Lilepo, Wandile Duba and Mfundo Vilakazi have often been preferred in attacking roles, further underlining his reduced influence.
According to reports, Sirino would prefer to remain with the Soweto giants, while the content he posts with his family on social media suggests they are happy and settled in South Africa.
Should he stay at the club, his role in the team will be even more reduced, especially with stronger options now available in the attacking positions he occupies. Chiefs may also delay making a decision on a new contract until they have a clearer picture of who will be in charge next season.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to whether Chiefs value sentiment and experience over progression and long-term planning. Sirino’s legacy in South African football is already secure, but the club is under pressure to rebuild with purpose and urgency.
Offering him a new deal may provide short-term depth and leadership, but moving on could signal a firmer commitment to the future – and that is a call they simply cannot afford to get wrong.
IOL Sport