Cape Town City returnee Lyle Lakay was surprised when he was told that he was going to be loaned out to the Citizens from Mamelodi Sundowns.
Speaking on SAfm Sport On programme on Monday evening, Lakay said that he thought he would continue with his career at the Brazilians.
“It’s very good to be back home in Cape Town, it’s a good feeling. I’m not a stranger to the team. I know the culture of this team. They are ambitious and are in the Champions League and I want to help them with my experience,” Lakay said.
“Everybody says this move came as a surprise. It was a shock to me too. One minute I was in Johannesburg and then I was told the next day I must get ready to go to Cape Town. It wasn’t my decision at all and City was the club I was told I’m going to.”
The 31-year-old Cape Town-born defender also revealed that there were no other options that were offered to him.
“There were no other options offered. I would have liked to stay and fight for my place. I did so when Aubrey (Modiba) came, (Sifiso) Ngobeni and others, but like I said it wasn’t my decision. Maybe things were made easier by the fact that I’m returning to a former club and I’ve made peace with it,” he said.
“I also want to be clear that this move wasn’t part of the deal with (Terrence) Mashego. If it was the case. It would have been announced at the same time. But this move came days after that announcement of Mashego. So the moves are not linked.”
Shockingly, Lakay added that he only Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena spoke to him regarding his loan move.
“To be honest, I didn’t really speak to the coaches. Coach Rulani was the only one I spoke to, but there was no real reason. He just said the club is moving in another direction and that was it. So like I said, it wasn’t my decision,” Lakay remarked.
“Obviously, I didn’t play as much was I would have liked this season, but let’s also give credit to Aubrey. First game I played was MTN8 against SuperSport United, then the league game and that’s where I made a mistake. I gave the ball away for the first goal and then I wasn’t in the team.”
