Kaizer Chiefs new signing Ranga Chivaviro, who has got off to a slow start in Amakhosi colours, has been tipped to succeed at the club.
Chivaviro is among eight players that Chiefs have signed for the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season as the Soweto giants look to win their first trophy since the 2014/2015 campaign.
Amakhosi signed Edson Castillo, Pule Mmodi, Mduduzi Mdantsane, Tebogo Potsane, Given Msimango, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Efmamjjasond Gonzales.
Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper William Shongwe has expressed delight in the club’s signings. He believes Chivaviro is a signing Chiefs’ dressing room has yearned for since the departure of Samir Nurkovic.
Shongwe is convinced Chivaviro has the profile and potential to be a star. The 30-year-old joined Chiefs from Marumo Gallants in the off-season but is yet to register his first goal for the club.
Chivaviro Tipped for Success at Chiefs
“Chivaviro. He’s going to be a star,” Shongwe told FARPost in a telephonic interview. “He’s not the greatest of players, not so skilful. But he is the original number nine. “The likes of Marks Maponyane, who are always there in the finishing part of the game.
“He doesn’t run all over the place. He is concentrated and focused on the number nine position. That is finishing. He’s that bully type of a striker which Chiefs have not had for quite a while. Nurkovic fitted that bill, though he also wondered a bit. Chivaviro is going to be that original number nine. He hugs that topline.”
The Limpopo-born forward scored 17 goals in all competitions last season for Marumo. 10 of his goals came in the DStv Premiership, with seven strikes in the CAF Confederation Cup, where Marumo reached the semi-final.
Interestingly, one of his league goals came against Chiefs as they stole a point at the FNB Stadium. Chiefs will be looking to improve on their performance last season, as they finished fifth in the DStv Premiership.
They will also be looking to end their eight-year trophy drought. With the addition of Chivaviro and Colombian forward Efmamjjasond Gonzales, Chiefs will be hoping to have a more potent attack in the coming season.
If Chivaviro can live up to Shongwe’s expectations, he could be a key player for Chiefs in their quest for silverware.