Kaizer Chiefs were free to make signings after their two-window transfer ban came to an end. Chiefs were sanctioned by FIFA over the illegal signing of Malagasy player Andriamirado Aro Hasina Andrianamimanana.
It was a dark cloud for the love and peace followers as they all knew the ban came at a wrong time when the squad needed to be revamped after losing the league in the final 30 minutes of the season.
What made matters worse for Amakhosi was the fact that this ban came at a time where two very strong teams Bidvest Wits and Highlands Park were sold, and other clubs took massive advantage and beefed up their squads while the Glamour Boys were stuck with an aging and an injury-hit team.
The CAF Champions League runners up confirmed a total of nine new signings as a signal of intent as the Soweto giants look to make up for the disappointing season.
Chiefs confirmed the signings of former Bidvest Wits goalkeeper Brandon Peterson, Sifiso Hlanti, Phathushedzo Nange, Njabulo Ngcobo, Sibusiso Mabiliso, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Keagan Dolly, Austin Dube and Cole Alexander.
What created a buzz amongst the Amakhosi faithful was the fact that the team signed what they needed rather than what’s available on the market. Hlanti is a massive upgrade from Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Yagan Sasman and Philani Zulu, while Mabiliso will be good backup, that effectively makes the left-back position strong.
A midfield of Alexander and Nange will compete against any side in the league and that will give more freedom to attacking players like Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Khama Billiat and Lebogang Manyama as there will be less responsibility of tracking back.
When you have big strikers like Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro it makes sense to go for Sekgota whose an old school winger who is not afraid to take on defenders while he is also a good crosser of the ball. Having a player of Sekgota’s ability will be profitable to a target man like Nurkovic who tends to struggle when he’s asked to play as a lone striker in a team that offer no wide support.
The defence needed to be beefed up as well and signing Njabulo Ngcobo who was the Defender of the Season in the previous campaign shows the seriousness of the club. A lot of fans say Austin Dube and Ngcobo should play together after watching them pair up in the COSAFA Cup. That for me is a big risk for a big team, considering Ngcobo has just one top-flight season under his belt while this will be Dube’s first season in the PSL.
It will be a very tough decision for coach Stuart Baxter on who will partner Ngcobo between Dube, Daniel Cardoso, Siyabonga Ngezana and Eric Mathoho.
For me, I think Kaizer Chiefs are ready to compete this season. However, if they break the bank and sign Teboho Mokoena or Sipho Mbule from SuperSport United then I will say they are sure title contenders. One has to consider the fact that they will have no CAF competitions in between so they will be a well-rested side.
