JOHANNESBURG – Kaizer Chiefs have injected fresh blood into their squad with three high-profile signings, adding to their already impressive recruitment drive this season.
The announcements, made on Monday, follow months of speculation and aim to bolster the team's challenge for top honours in the Betway Premiership.
The new recruits – Thabo Cele, Tashreeq Morris, and Glody Makabi Lilepo – join a team already significantly strengthened by seven earlier signings. While previous acquisitions focused on bolstering the defence with four new players, this latest influx targets offensive improvements.
Coach Nasreddine Nabi, appointed in July, had previously voiced concerns about the team's need for quality players to compete effectively. His assessment clearly resonated with the club's management, leading to the swift action in bringing in these three new talents.
Thabo Cele, a Bafana Bafana midfielder, is arguably the most significant acquisition. His experience and proven ability are expected to significantly enhance Chiefs' midfield capabilities, particularly in crucial matches. The timing couldn't be better, with the high-stakes Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates looming large on the horizon.
While Cele's inclusion in the starting line-up will depend on his match fitness, Tashreeq Morris, despite a modest two goals this season, could provide valuable support. The real wildcard, however, might be Glody Makabi Lilepo, whose promising performances in France suggest he could be a game-changer for Amakhosi. Some pundits even suggest he could prove more influential than Gaston Sirino.
The new signings are a welcome boost as Chiefs head into the Soweto Derby riding a wave of momentum. A convincing victory over Free Agents FC in the Nedbank Cup over the weekend secured their progression to the next round, showcasing their improving form. Pule Mmodi's brace in the first half, along with further goals from Miguel Inacio and Ranga Chivaviro, sealed a comfortable 4-0 win and a second consecutive clean sheet for goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
However, this positive news is tempered by a significant setback. Striker Wandile Duba suffered a knee injury during the Free Agents FC match, requiring him to leave the pitch on a stretcher. The injury, confirmed by medical assessments, will unfortunately sideline him for a considerable period.
“He (Duba) went for scanning yesterday and that’s when they (Chiefs doctors) were sure that he will be out for about a month and a half. He will actually be out for 42 days. It’s a knee injury. He twisted it and got injured. Very bad, my brother, but 42 days is not that bad though,” revealed a source to Soccer-Laduma.
The absence of Duba for the Soweto Derby is a considerable blow to Chiefs' ambitions.
“The team (Chiefs) needed him in this Soweto Derby and him (Duba) as a player also wanted to play and that’s a big blow for the team. But you know, injuries are part of the game. Now he has just to focus on healing and to come back strong,” admitted a second source.
Here is a complete list of Kaizer Chiefs' signings this season:
- Glody Makabi Lilepo
- Thabo Cele
- Tashreeq Morris
- Fiacre Ntwari
- Bradley Cross
- Njabulo Blom
- Gaston Sirino
- Rushwin Dortley
- Miguel Inacio
- Bongani Sam
The Soweto Derby promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Chiefs boasting both a winning streak and their new signings. However, the absence of Duba adds a layer of complexity to their preparations. The match will undoubtedly be a crucial test of their newly strengthened squad.
