Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo has revealed details of his lucrative contract with Pirates, disclosing a total value of R15 million.
Khuzwayo, whose promising career was cut short by an ankle injury at age 29, retired in 2019 without making a single appearance for The Mighty Buccaneers, despite joining them from their Sowetan neighbors, Kaizer Chiefs, in July 2018.
During his time at Chiefs, Khuzwayo primarily served as backup to Itumeleng Khune. Seeking more playing time, he opted for a move to Pirates. Despite his role as understudy, Khuzwayo demonstrated his talent in over 30 appearances for Chiefs, contributing to two league titles and an MTN8 victory.
In a recent interview with Soccer Beat, the shot-stopper revealed that his five-year contract with Pirates was worth R15 million and included a clause guaranteeing him the starting goalkeeper position.
He explained that he had spoken with Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza a year before his Chiefs contract expired and subsequently informed Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung of his decision not to renew, despite being offered a new contract.
“I spoke to Dr Irvin Khoza a year before my contract ended [at Chiefs] and then called Bobby [Motaung]. He [Motaung] gave me a new contract, and I told him I’m not going sign it,” Khuzwayo said.
“Bobby told me that I must tell Dr Kaizer Motaung that I’m not going sign the contract; I called the meeting with Bobby, Dr Motaung, and the head coach then was Steve Komphela. They asked me where I was going, but I couldn’t say.
“I signed a contract with Pirates in October before my contract entered the last six months. It was a three-year contract, but the day I went to sign, Dr Irvin Khoza called me and said I must come to the office.
“So I went to the office, and he just gave me a five-year contract. The contract changed from the salary that I was going to get; I was happy to get the contract because the money went up. Initially, the contract stated that I was going to be the number [goalkeeper] for Pirates, and it had everything. I think the contract was R15 million in total for five years.”