EXPLAINED: How a ball-boy dispute pushed US-bound Puso Dithejane out of Kaizer Chiefs
From a contentious exit at Naturena to a move abroad – Puso Dithejane’s journey has taken him all the way to MLS with Chicago Fire.
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The highly rated Puso Dithejane completed a move from TS Galaxy to MLS outfit Chicago Fire on Tuesday after impressing in the Betway Premiership this season, having rebuilt his career following a well-documented ball-boy incident that led to his departure from Kaizer Chiefs in 2023.
The 21-year-old started his journey with the Transnet School of Excellence before going on to continue his development with the Kaizer Chiefs Academy.
At Chiefs, he continued to turn heads for their DStv Diski Challenge team, but suddenly found himself out in the cold in 2023 after the club opted not to offer him a new contract.
The reason for his departure from Chiefs was the souring of his relationship with the club after he refused to be a ball-boy for a Carling Knockout match, explains Cavin Johnson, the club’s former interim coach.
"Dithejane did not leave because he was not a good player or a bad player; he left because he didn't do the right thing at the right time," Johnson was quoted by KickOff.
"It's common sense that regarding the Black Label matches, all the ball boys must be over 18. Those are rules. In South Africa, you must be over 18 to drink, so you can't have a competition with under-18 players advertising liquor.
According to the report, Dithejane, along with Omega Mdaka, who now plays for Stellenbosch FC, wrote a letter to the club, saying they did not want to be ball boys.
After the club initiated disciplinary procedures, they instead opted to walk away.
After he left, Dithejane found a home with TS Galaxy, and repaid their faith with his performances on the pitch. Chiefs, though, were also watching, and attempted to lure him back to Naturena, according to Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi.
“What happened is that on Sunday afternoon, I was with Dithejane. He showed me missed calls. One was from Kaizer Jr, Tera Maliwa, and coach Vela Khumalo,” Sukazi said on UKhozi FM.
“There was even a player from Chiefs who phoned. These missed calls are coming straight to the player, not me. If they want to put an offer, we will talk with them.
“It’s surprising because football life is really something else. You must remember how Dithejane left Kaizer Chiefs, where they told him to be a ball boy when he wanted to play.”
His move to Chicago Fire now represents a reward for perseverance and a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football. For Dithejane, the next chapter offers a chance to prove that his ability – not past disagreements – will ultimately define his career.
IOL Sport