Kaizer Chiefs’ hopes of getting silverware this season came to a crashing end after losing to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semifinals this past weekend, and with it, went their chance of campaigning in Africa next season. Chiefs also looks poised to lose out on the CAF Champions League spot to their neighbors or SuperSport United, as they currently lie fourth in the log standings.
So what’s next for AmaKhosi?
Chiefs will face off against Matsatsantsa a Pitoli this coming Saturday at The Royal Bafokeng Stadium, hoping to keep their rather slim mathematical chance of tasting continental football next season. It is safe to say that things are not going well for the ambitious Naturena outfit in Zwane’s first season as head coach.
With that said, surely the minds of the head honchos in the boardroom are already mapping out a plan for next season. Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. has affirmed that Mangethe is a vital part of the team making decisions on new recruits and who to let go. It will be interesting to watch who will stay, who will be brought on, and who will be let go, but as always, rumors are already rife as we approach the winter window.
In the past two windows, Chiefs brought in a couple of players like Ashly Dupreez, Dillon Solomons, and a few others, while letting go of club stalwarts like Benard Parker, Cardoso, Castro, and a few others. It has been laid bare for everyone to see that Chiefs’ problems culminated from schoolboy mistakes at the back that saw them conceding cheap goals, costing them valuable three points. However, they have also been blunt in front of goals, with their leading goal scorer, Caleb Bonfils Bimenyimana, being a bit-part player towards the end of the season, while Ashley and Congolese-born marksman Christian Saile Basomboli have been very blunt in front of goals.
What we know:
Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the signing of Lesotho international Thatayaone Ditlhokwe from SuperSport United in the January transfer window, while several sports news outlets have confirmed the signing of TS Galaxy’s skipper, Given Msimango. However, Chiefs are yet to confirm this rumor.
What has been said:
It is no surprise that Amakhosi are desperately looking to bolster their squad for next season, and rumors have been flying around on who they might bring in to help them avoid further humiliation as their situation seems to be getting worse. It has been said that long-serving defender Eric Matoho and fellow fringe player Austin Dube are on their way out of Naturena at the end of the season, and included on the list is development product Sabelo Hadebe, who seemingly is not in Coach Arthur Zwane’s plan for next season and will probably be loaned out. Towering box-to-box midfielder Pathuzedzo Nange is said to be set to reunite with his former boss Gavin Hunt at SuperSport United in the next campaign, while Cole Alexandra, who has featured sparingly this season, also looks set to hit the exit.
Incomings:
Chiefs are looking to raid Stellies once again this season, after bringing in last season. They are said to be looking at bringing in creative midfielder Junior Mendieta, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, and Igram Rayners, while also considering raiding Cape Town City for Khanyisa Mayo and Mduduzi Mdantsane.
Considering that this is Zwane’s first season as a coach in the top league in Mzansi, he has not done badly. However, being at Chiefs means you have to deliver. It will be interesting to see how things unfold for the Phefeni Glamour Boys this transfer window, as they are in desperate need of a catalytic player who can bring back the long-forgotten glory days.
