Kaizer Chiefs FC were reportedly very close to signing a former Mamelodi Sundowns star.
The Glamour Boys were on a mission to rope in quality players after a difficult 2024/25 campaign.
And while they did end up signing a number of top players, they were very close to signing one of the best midfielders in the country!
Here’s all of the key details regarding Kaizer Chiefs’ failed attempt to sign Neo Maema from Mamelodi Sundowns.
How Kaizer Chiefs missed out on Maema
According to the latest transfer gossip, Kaizer Chiefs made not one but two attempts to sign Neo Maema.
Maema, an undeniably talented midfielder, was struggling to earn a place in Miguel Cardoso’s starting eleven.
In January, the Glamour Boys approached the Brazilians to sign Maema but nothing came of it.
Then, in the off-season, Kaizer Chiefs reportedly made another attempt to sign the player Sundowns were looking to offload.
Sundowns however opted against selling the talented star to their rivals and instead paved the way for a move abroad to Tanzania!
“Kaizer Chiefs were definitely interested but Sundowns decided it was best for him to move to a different league rather than sell to their rivals,” an insider told Citizen.
“The interest was not new, because they also enquired in January, but at that stage Sundowns were not willing to sell as they still wanted him for all the competitions they were playing in.”
Maema easing into life in Tanzania
The 29-year-old midfielder completed a move to Simba SC.
He has featured in the club’s last two league games, making cameo appearances in both.
Maema would’ve undoubtedly taken Kaizer Chiefs’ midfield to the next level however it simply wasn’t meant to be.