THE imminent departure of Bafana Bafana winger Thuso Phala from Platinum Stars could spark a mass exodus from the team, who officially threw in the towel on their league title chase yesterday.
As many as five other key players - Enocent Mkhabela, Solly Mathe, Sibusiso Msomi, Robert Ng'ambi and Joseph Molongoane - could be lost to Dikwena with negotiations over new contracts yet to resume.
Phala has already signed a pre-contract deal with SuperSport United and talk of Mkhabela following him to the Tshwane outfit is growing.
Dikwena have not shown any interest in retaining Mkhabela, who has featured prominently for them this season, and the midfielder is likely to move on.
Molongoane, the dribbling ace who joined AmaZulu on loan at the beginning of the season, will become a free agent as Dikwena do not look like renewing his contract.
Following their bright start to the season, which saw them challenge strongly for the league championship, the wheels appear to be coming off at the North West outfit.
Their sparkling form has dipped, leaving them nine points adrift of log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
Club spokesman Aubrey Molobi conceded that winning the league was out of question but added: "We want to end the season by finishing number two on the log and by having silverware to show by winning the Nedbank Cup."
Stars general manager Jason Rainer fell just short of admitting that money could be the biggest factor in whether they retain key men.
"We've got to do some introspection; sit down with these players between now and June and see who we can afford to keep and who we can't," he said. "Obviously we can't go into a salary auction, we have to spend prudently. We've had a good team this season and we'd like to maintain it. But obviously we are guided by the markets and the value of the players."
Rainer confirmed Phala is leaving as a free agent and that Dikwena could not afford to retain him. The club played a key role in reviving Phala's career following his terrible spells at Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Stars resume their league campaign with a home game against Sundowns at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.
5 Stars players may follow Phala
THE imminent departure of Bafana Bafana winger Thuso Phala from Platinum Stars could spark a mass exodus from the team, who officially threw in the towel on their league title chase yesterday.
As many as five other key players - Enocent Mkhabela, Solly Mathe, Sibusiso Msomi, Robert Ng'ambi and Joseph Molongoane - could be lost to Dikwena with negotiations over new contracts yet to resume.
Phala has already signed a pre-contract deal with SuperSport United and talk of Mkhabela following him to the Tshwane outfit is growing.
Dikwena have not shown any interest in retaining Mkhabela, who has featured prominently for them this season, and the midfielder is likely to move on.
Molongoane, the dribbling ace who joined AmaZulu on loan at the beginning of the season, will become a free agent as Dikwena do not look like renewing his contract.
Following their bright start to the season, which saw them challenge strongly for the league championship, the wheels appear to be coming off at the North West outfit.
Their sparkling form has dipped, leaving them nine points adrift of log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
Club spokesman Aubrey Molobi conceded that winning the league was out of question but added: "We want to end the season by finishing number two on the log and by having silverware to show by winning the Nedbank Cup."
Stars general manager Jason Rainer fell just short of admitting that money could be the biggest factor in whether they retain key men.
"We've got to do some introspection; sit down with these players between now and June and see who we can afford to keep and who we can't," he said. "Obviously we can't go into a salary auction, we have to spend prudently. We've had a good team this season and we'd like to maintain it. But obviously we are guided by the markets and the value of the players."
Rainer confirmed Phala is leaving as a free agent and that Dikwena could not afford to retain him. The club played a key role in reviving Phala's career following his terrible spells at Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Stars resume their league campaign with a home game against Sundowns at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.
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