Chippa United winger Thabo Rakhale reportedly on trial at Turkish side Istanbulspor

Chippa United attacking midfielder Thabo Rakhale is reportedly on trial at Turkish side Istanbulspor. 

The 27-year-old winger joined the Chilli Boys from Orlando Pirates midway through the 2017/18 season and helped the club retain its status in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Rakhale is now trying his luck at Istanbulspor, who are campaigning in the TFF First League which is the second level of the Turkish football league system.

The dribbling wizard was pictured playing for the People’s Team during a friendly match against fellow TFF First League outfit Adanaspor on Thursday. Local reports indicating that Rakhale is currently on trial in Turkey then emerged.

Sporx, a Turkish Football website, revealed that Rakhale started for Istanbulspor against Adanaspor:

“The encounter was played in the training ground of a hotel located in the Karacasu area, Istanbulspor Umut Kaya came out with the starting 11 of Fatih Aydin, Patrick Atchom, Wellington Nascimento, Eslem Öztürk, Tuncer Duhan Aksu, Ali Dere, Thabo Rakhale, Slavko Perovic, Muhammed Demirci and Aldin Cajic.”

“Adanaspor started with Hayrullah Mert Akyüz, Digao Longo, Onur Akbay, Renan Diniz, Göksu Alhas, Abdulkadir Özdemir, Kenan Karışık, Hakan Barış, Gökhan Sazdağı, Eren Keles and Yener Arıca," the site reported.

Rakhale helped the People’s Team secure a 2-0 victory over Adanaspor with Muhammed Demirci and Mehmet Yeşil hitting the back of the net on the day, according to the site. 

The Chilli Boys could be preparing for life without the former Polokwane City FC winger with the club having purchased speedy winger Kabelo Seakanyeng from Botswana Premier League side Gaborone United. 

Rakhale was a noticeable absentee in the Chippa team during last weekend’s 2018 Bokone Bophirima Maize Cup in Orkney. They were defeated by fellow PSL side Free State Stars in the semi-finals.

The Sebokeng-born player is currently on a three-year deal at the Eastern Cape-based club, and Istanbulspor will have to buy him out of his contract if they're really interested.