The “Uruguayan Magic” at Naturena appears to be fading. After a high-profile move that promised to revitalize the Kaizer Chiefs attack, Gastón Sirino is reportedly on the verge of an exit as his two-year stint at the club nears a disappointing conclusion.
Arriving as a free agent in 2024 with a trophy-laden legacy from Mamelodi Sundowns, the 35-year-old has struggled to replicate the form that once made him the most feared playmaker in the league.
The Numbers: A Season of Diminishing Returns
Sirino’s current campaign has been defined more by time on the treatment table and the substitutes’ bench than by goals on the pitch. The veteran attacker’s output has hit an all-time low:
- Appearances: 23 (across all competitions)
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 2
In his place, Amakhosi have turned to Flávio Silva and Glody Lilepo for firepower, while Pule Mmodi has taken over the creative reins from the flanks.
The “High Earner” Dilemma
The club’s management of Sirino has come under fire from former Chiefs striker Thembinkosi Biyela, who questioned the logic of keeping one of the squad’s highest earners on the sidelines while the team struggles to secure a Top 8 finish.
“Paying Gastón Sirino a significant salary while starting him on the bench raises questions,” Biyela told Kick Off. “He deserves to start every match… Chiefs are now targeting a top-eight finish [instead of the Champions League].”
The Verdict: A Quiet Exit?
With only two months left on his current contract and no signs of a renewal on the horizon, Sirino’s departure seems inevitable. While he leaves a legacy of six league titles from his time at Chloorkop, his chapter at Naturena will likely be remembered as a missed opportunity for both the player and the club.
