Kaizer Chiefs star faces career crossroads as season reaches critical stage.
Njabulo Blom’s return to Chiefs hasn’t gone as planned, and now his future with the club is on the line. With just a few matches left in the season, the pressure is mounting on the 25-year-old to prove he deserves a permanent deal.
Currently on loan from Major League Soccer side St. Louis City SC, Blom’s deal includes an option to buy, but that decision hinges heavily on his remaining performances this season.
Blom struggles to make his mark
After rejoining Amakhosi on a one-year loan, fans expected Blom to bring leadership and international experience to the squad. But the Chiefs academy graduate has struggled to secure a consistent starting role under coach Nasreddine Nabi.
“He was expected to lead the team with his experience and understanding of the environment,” a source close to the club revealed. “However, Blom has disappointed since his return from the MLS, struggling to knuckle down a starting place in coach Nabi’s team.”
Blom has started in 10 matches and made eight appearances off the bench, filling in both at right-back and in defensive midfield. But his performances haven’t lived up to the hype that followed his move to the MLS in January 2023.
Chiefs demand more as Nedbank Cup looms
With Amakhosi currently in eighth place and eyeing a critical Nedbank Cup semifinal against Mamelodi Sundowns, the pressure is on Blom to raise his game.
“The club is not convinced just as yet by his performances and will require him to step up in the remaining games of the season. He still has a chance to prove himself in the remaining games to earn a contract extension,” the insider added.
Blom’s versatility could be his saving grace, especially with right-back Reeve Frosler out injured. Dillan Solomons has filled the gap recently, but coach Nabi is reportedly open to exploring Blom as a defensive option in the high-stakes semifinal clash.
Will Blom rise or fade away?
Adding to the urgency, Blom’s contract with St. Louis City SC expires in December 2025. By the end of the Betway Premiership season, he’ll have just six months left on that deal—raising questions about what’s next for the Bafana Bafana midfielder.
Nicknamed ‘Stopper,’ Blom has one final shot to prove his worth to Chiefs and secure a long-term place in the squad. The next few weeks will define whether he reclaims his spot at his boyhood club, or fades into transfer market uncertainty.
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