How Kaizer Chiefs signed Emile Dortley after Cape Town Spurs transfer dispute

Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge head coach Vela Khumalo has revealed that Emile Dortley’s move to the club was driven partly by his desire to join his older brother, Rushwin, in Gauteng.

The younger Dortley left Cape Town Spurs during the season to join Kaizer Chiefs, following a dispute over his release from the Ikamva-based club. The defender is now part of the same organisation as Rushwin, who had already made the move to the most-supported club in South Africa.

Khumalo said Chiefs had identified Emile as a player they wanted to sign immediately, but the transfer could not be completed while he remained registered with Spurs.

“Dortley came here because the brother [Rushwin] came here,” Khumalo tells KickOff.

“And we were interested in him, we wanted him immediately, but the club [Spurs] didn’t want to release him, but ultimately they did, and that’s how he got here.

“What was holding the move back was the fact that he was registered there back then. We waited for the season to end, and after it concluded, we showed our interest. That’s when we got hold of him.

“He wanted the move because he wanted to join his brother in Gauteng, and even now he is staying at his brother’s place,” he adds, before waxing lyrical about the left-footed defender’s attributes.

Khumalo believes the time Dortley spent at Chiefs without playing regularly has nevertheless helped his development. He praised the teenager’s technical ability and understanding of the game, while also making clear that he would like the player to remain with his DStv Diski Challenge squad.

“Emile is a very good player.

“He has a great understanding of the game and is highly technical. Even though he is very young, he understands how we want to play. I believe the time he spent here not playing helped him in that.

“From what I’ve seen of him, I hope he stays with me in the DDC.

The coach used Dortley’s recent performance in Lesotho to underline his belief that young South African players can compete against older opponents. Dortley played there on Sunday, the same day he turned 17, yet Khumalo said his age was not obvious during the match.

“If talented 18-year-olds can be produced in Spain, why can’t we do the same? Emile played against older players in Lesotho on Sunday, and you could not tell he was turning 17 that day – it was his birthday.”

Dortley’s arrival followed a period in which his registration with Cape Town Spurs prevented an immediate transfer. Once that issue was resolved after the season concluded, Chiefs were able to complete the move and reunite him with Rushwin at the club.