Kaizer Chiefs are closing in on another Bafana star.

Contrary to reports that Sekhukhune United have already agreed to sell Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana to Tunisian giants Esperance, Kaizer Chiefs are favourites to sign him after Babina Noko asked them to come back with an improved offer.

This is according to a source at Sekhukhune. “As things stand, Sekhukhune haven’t agreed anything with any team. Elias is still part of the team and if there’s any team that leads the race to sign him, it is Chiefs because they’ve tabled an offer which the club thought was unacceptable, hence they told them to come back with an improved one,” the source said.

“For now Esperance haven’t tabled any concrete offer but they’ve just indicated verbally that they are interested. I expect Chiefs to come back with an improved offer in the next 48 hours and then I think the deal will be concluded though I don’t know the exact amount the club is asking because the CEO [Jonas Malatji] is the one handling these things.”

“We know there’s interest from various teams but so far no one has contacted the player. Maybe they are dealing with Sekhukhune. As the player’s camp, we know nothing at this stage

Mokwana’s agent, Pontsho Madumo

The insider said the Mokwana situation reminded him of how Chiefs signed midfielder Yusuf Maart from Babina Noko in July 2022.

“I remember the same thing happened when we sold them [Chiefs] Maart. Their initial offer was very little and they improved it after three days before signing him. So, I predict that the same thing will happen with Elias unless Esperance come with a huge offer in the meantime.”

Mokwana’s agent Pontsho Madumo of Cream Sports Management insisted no team had directly contacted the player.

“We know there’s interest from various teams but so far no one has contacted the player. Maybe they are dealing with Sekhukhune. As the player’s camp, we know nothing at this stage,” Madumo said.

Mokwana, 24, scored four goals with four assists in the league and was one of Babina Noko’s instrumental players last season when they finished fourth and qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup for the second season running. The highly-rated winger is capped four times by Bafana, boasting one goal in national team colours.

Meanwhile, Cape Town Spurs confirmed yesterday that they had sold Rushwin Dortley to Chiefs.