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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung has confirmed that several players will leave the PSL champions.
As it happened: Kaizer Chiefs press conference
Motaung was speaking at a club press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday where it was also announced that coach Stuart Baxter would not stay on as coach.
Motaung also addressed the issues involving several key players which ultimately meant saw the departure of long-serving goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, captain Tefu Mashaimate and rising star Mandla Masango.
All three players were unable to reach an understanding over new deals at the club but Motaung seem to indicate that high wage demands from the star trio were to blame for their exits.
"We cannot be held ransom by anyone, it does not take one or two players to make a team" said Motaung.
Motaung said the club made an offer to extend Tefu Mashamaite's deal at the club but ultimately talks broke down between the parties and the club decided to terminate the talks and allow Mashamaite to depart the Naturena.
Another key player for Chiefs this season, Mandla Masango has also failed to agree new terms with the league champions and will add his name to the list of high-profile exits from the club.
"Mandla was made an offer and we made a counter offer and then he came back with another counter offer,” Motaung announced at the press conference today.
The Glamour Boys twitter account said that: "Mandla Masango has asked to be released from the Club. We would like to thank him and wish him all the best".
Motaung had some sharp words for Itumeleng Khune, the one of the club's most decorated footballers.
"We look after our players well, I can be proved wrong but Itu last season was the highest paid player" said Motaung.
Khune's disagreement was then eloborated on by Motaung, who said "as for Itu, his case became disrespectful to the club. He said he will talk to us when he comes back."
"The Club & Itumeleng Khune have agreed to part ways. We would like to thank him and wish him all the best" tweeted Kaizer Chiefs.
The confirmed list of Kaizer Chiefs players that will depart the club:
Mandla Masango, Tefu Mashamaite, Katlego Mphela, Siyabonga Nkosi, Josta Dladla, Itumeleng Khune and Phakamani Mngadi.
The club also confirmed that five players will be loaned out during the 2015/16 season:
Simphiwe Mtsweni, Chris Matombo, Levy Mokgothu, Zitha Macheke and Ovidy Karuru.
