Ex-Pirates star Makola 'got his full payout' at CT City as Tinkler airs out reason for exit

Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler has revealed that Mpho Makola was released by the club as the midfielder was not part of the team's long-term plans.

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The 36-year-old joined the DStv Premiership side in 2019 and played close to 100 games before being released last week.

He had five months left on his deal with City, with an option of a further year.

Still, Tinkler has explained that finding minutes for the former Orlando Pirates player was getting increasingly difficult, especially after being eliminated from the CAF Champions League.

"Beginning of the season, we looked to bolster the squad for the CAF competition, and our vision was that we would be where Sundowns is, still in the competition (in the group stages)," Tinkler explained during the Cape Town leg of the Nedbank Cup press conference.

"But now, we have fallen out of that competition, and we currently have ten midfielders for three positions - it's more than three players for one position.

"We just made Mpho aware that we need to be looking to the future. I need to be giving youngsters, Balla (Taahir Goedeman), I need to be giving Jaedin (Rhodes), I need to be giving (Relebogile) Mokhuoane an opportunity of playing more.

"So, for him to be given game-time, it's going to be difficult, very difficult. So we don't want to be wasting his time, give him the opportunity to be going somewhere where he can play.

"He got his full payout until the end of the season by the chairman. He didn't leave with empty pockets. He left with his full payout."

City returns to action on Sunday against Royal AM in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 at Cape Town Stadium.

Kick-off is at 18:00.