Ahead of their highly coveted Nedbank Cup final, Kaizer Chiefs have made headlines as they have reportedly negotiated a contract extension with their influential club captain, Yusuf Maart.
According to reports, the agreement ensures Maart will remain a key figure at the Soweto giants for the foreseeable future and comes amid significant interest from his former club, Sekhukhune United, who are now under the tutelage of Eric Tinkler.
Maart, a dynamic 29-year-old midfielder, initially joined Kaizer Chiefs ahead of the 2022/23 season.
His arrival was highly anticipated, following a remarkable stint with Sekhukhune United, where his exceptional midfield performances not only secured PSL survival for the newly promoted club but also earned him a call up to Bafana Bafana.
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Renowned for his ability to produce moments of brilliance, Maart was seen as a pivotal signing for Amakhosi. Over his tenure, he has become a consistent presence in the team, amassing 90 appearances and contributing with six goals and eight assists.
Notwithstanding the other strikes, it is worth mentioning that one of those goals was a spectacular effort in the Soweto Derby – a stunning long-range strike from his own half that sailed past Orlando Pirates’ Mpontshane.
See Maart’s goal at the end of the article.
In addition to his eye for goal, his leadership qualities were further recognized by incoming Amakhosi boss Nasreddine Nabi, whom duly appointed him club captain, highlighting his importance within the squad.
Despite his consistent involvement and leadership role, Maart’s relationship with the Kaizer Chiefs supporters has been somewhat of a love-hate relationship. Nevertheless, the technical team clearly values his contributions and sees him as integral to their plans moving forward.
According to iDiski Times, Sekhukhune United had expressed a strong desire to bring Maart back to the club as his initial three-year contract with Kaizer Chiefs was nearing its expiry at the end of the current season. Sources close to Sekhukhune United have confirmed their keen interest in the player, suggesting a potential reunion was on the cards.
However, the article states that Kaizer Chiefs have proactively moved to secure Maart’s services, exercising an option to extend his current deal and further agreeing to an additional year on his contract. This strategic move demonstrates the club’s commitment to retaining key players and maintaining stability within the squad.
The extended contract ensures that Yusuf Maart will remain at Naturena for at least the next two seasons, providing continuity and leadership within the Kaizer Chiefs midfield.
Looking ahead, Maart will be determined to guide Kaizer Chiefs to silverware this season, aiming to end the club’s decade-long trophy drought. The last time Chiefs contested a cup final was in the 2018/19 Nedbank Cup, while their most recent major triumph came in the 2014/15 season, when they secured both the league title and the MTN8 trophy.
Now, the team stands before a golden opportunity to reclaim glory in the upcoming Nedbank Cup final—a thrilling Soweto Derby showdown against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.
The final is scheduled to take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on May 10th, and Maart will undoubtedly play a crucial role as the Amakhosi aim to lift the coveted trophy.