Yusuf Maart has explained the reasons he left Kaizer Chiefs despite helping the team win the Nedbank Cup.
The Chiefs former midfielder was a key player in their final match against Orlando Pirates in the 2024/2025 season after scoring the winning goal.
Speaking on Soccerbeat, the former Bafana Bafana midfielder revealed that he had been eyeing a move to Europe before the Nedbank Cup final.
“It was like three months [working on SV Ried transfer] before the league [2024/25 season] ended. They called me for a Zoom meeting with my agent [Karabo Tshabuse], and they asked me if I was willing to come,” he said.
“I told them if everything is good, why not? If they can sort it out with the club, Chiefs. For me, I’m ready to take the next step.”
“I told them [Chiefs] that it was a possibility that when the season ends, I could leave. They said, ‘Yusuf, let’s see because we need you for a few more seasons,’” Maart explained.
The former Sekhukhune United star said Chiefs were not willing to let him go just yet, but he felt this could be his only opportunity to play in Europe.
“For me, it was an opportunity at my age.
“They said we can talk again about it. When the team [Ried] got promoted, I went home to enjoy my holiday in Cape Town.
“I came back and trained with the team [Chiefs] for about two or three weeks. But obviously they [Ried] were calling on the other side.”
Maart said Kaizer Chiefs co-coaches wanted him to stay and continue to lead the team.
“The Chiefs coaches asked me to stay, but I said it’s an opportunity I don’t want to miss out on playing in Europe and see what it feels like.
“They disagreed, but obviously SV Ried were progressing on the other side with the club.”
