Lyle Lakay admits he felt forced to take a loan move away from Mamelodi Sundowns despite preferring to stay and fight for his place.
The 31-year-old wing-back joined Cape Town City this season after the Brazilians strengthened their right-back position with the acquisition of Terrence Mashego.
Lakay scooped the DStv Premiership Defender of the Season award last term but has since been deemed surplus to requirements.
He told Thabiso Mosia SAFM Sport: “Everybody says this move came as a surprise. It was a shock for me too.
“One minute, I was in JHB, and then I was told the next day that 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 was going to.
“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 as I said, it wasn’t my decision. Maybe things were made easier because I’m returning to a former club, and I’ve made peace with it.”
Lakay added: “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.”
