Kaizer Chiefs fans are getting a sense of deja vu. Will the club repeat past mistakes in the transfer market and then expect different outcomes?
Do Kaizer Chiefs rely on injury-prone players too much?
Loyalty in football is a good thing, but it gets to a point where it’s time to draw the line. Nkosingiphile Ngocbo, despite his talents and status within the club, has failed to deliver. If the 26-year-old sticks around beyond next season, the club might be criticised for its contract dealings. To be fair to the player, he’s sounded bullish about his prospects of reaching the heights again during this pre-season. It’s down to him to prove that he can.
Ngcobo’s stats paint a grim picture
His best campaign, in terms of appearances in the league, was 2020-21 when he made 25 outings and scored four goals. Injuries have ravaged subsequent seasons, limiting Ngcobo to 16 appearances in 2021-22, then 13 in 2022-23, 12 in 2023-24 and 11 in 2024-25. Last term, encouragingly, he made 16 league appearances. However, since the aforementioned campaign in 2021, Ngcobo hasn’t managed more than two goals in a single season. He’s only scored two goals in his last three Betway Premiership seasons combined.
Meet the Kaizer Chiefs new boys
Khanyisa Mayo has signed permanently from CR Belouizdad for a reported fee close to R9.8 million following a prior loan spell. Adolf Mtasingwa is a 27-year-old defensive midfielder signed from Azam FC for an undisclosed fee, and the first Tanzanian player to join Amakhosi. Mtasingwa brings valuable experience, having spent six seasons in Scandinavia, playing in the Icelandic, Norwegian and Finnish leagues. He returned home in 2024 to help Azam FC finish third in the Tanzanian league last season. He vice captains his nation.
Central defender Thabo Moloisane brings PSL know-how after becoming a mainstay for an impressive Stellenbosch side. Moloisane can also operate at right back when needed. 28-year-old goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner joins from Sekhukhune to bolster Chiefs’ options between the sticks. The 1.87m tall stopper has been capped by Bafana.
Will Lilepo be adequately replaced at Kaizer Chiefs?
Glody Lilepo is another player who could be heading out the door. The Congolese wide attacker bagged five goals and four assists in 27 league outings last term in a mostly wide attacking role. According to several local reports, Stellenbosch winger Langelihle Phili remains near the top of Chiefs’ transfer wish list to replace him if he leaves. Phili got seven goals in 27 league outings last term. Could Ashley du Preez be used as a makeweight?