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OPINION: Hit or Miss? Rating Chiefs’ new signings

How well have the likes of Dolly, Alexender and Nange fared at Naturena?
Chiefs
Image copyright - Steve Haag Sports

Using a scale of 1 to 10, we give full ratings on whether Chiefs' new signings have been hit or miss.

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After failing to sign players last season due to the transfer ban, Kaizer Chiefs made nine signings in this campaign to try and close the gap between them and Mamelodi Sundowns. Amongst those were Bafana Bafana players Keagan Dolly, Sifiso Hlanti, and last term’s Defender of the Season Njabulo Ngcobo.

Sifiso Hlanti 

Signed as a free agent from Bidvest Wits but had to be loaned out to Swallows FC due to the transfer ban last season, Sifiso Hlanti joined Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the season where he made eight appearances, scoring and assisting one before picking up a long-term injury. Hlanti has been a massive upgrade from what the club had in the past two seasons, players like Yagan Sasman and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya.

Verdict: HIT 7/10

Njabulo Ngcobo 

Last season’s DStv Prem Defender of the Season couldn’t walk into the Kaizer Chiefs defence and had to sit on the bench for the first five games or so. After being used as a central midfielder by Hugo Broos, Ngcobo seems to have been fully converted to the role as Stuart Baxter followed suit and plays the former Swallows stonewall as a midfielder.

Verdict: HIT 7/10

Brandon Peterson 

Brandon Peterson was set to follow his former Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt to Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the last campaign, but the deal fell through at the last minute because of the transfer ban which left the former Ajax Cape Town shot-stopper clubless the whole of last season. He made one appearance for Amakhosi and conceded four goals on debut and has never been given another chance since.

Verdict: Miss 4/10

Kgaogelo Sekgota

Another one of Wits’ players that was meant to join Hunt last season. Sekgota is one of the paciest forwards in the league but his numbers are very poor. Last season at Swallows, the former Wits winger recorded only two assists in 24 matches while he has neither scored nor assisted at Kaizer Chiefs in seven appearances.

Verdict: Miss 5/10

Phathutshedzo Nange

Nange was a key player for Stellenbosch last season – scoring five and assisting three in 24 appearances justified his signing. The former Wits star was expected to fill the gap left by George Maluleka who joined Mamelodi Sundowns in a controversial deal. At Chiefs, we are yet to see Nange’s full potential, though he has shown glimpses here and there. Many would argue that he hasn’t been what we expected. I still think it was a good signing and I believe we will soon see the best out of him.

Verdict: Hit 6/10

Cole Alexander 

Cole Alexander joined Chiefs on a three-year deal after spending last season with Odisha FC in the Indian Super League where he worked with Baxter. Cole was expected to be Willard Katsande’s replacement and protect the back four. The veteran defensive midfielder has struggled since joining the Glamour Boys and that has forced the coach to play two defensive midfielders.

Verdict: Miss 5/10

Austin Dube

Austin Dube was the only signing that didn’t have DStv Premiership experience and that has caused the coach to be hesitant in including the former Richards Bay FC defender in the early stages of the season. Austin has played six matches for Chiefs, and in the games he played, the club conceded five goals. The left-footed defender can play multiple positions LCB, LB and DM.

Verdict: Hit 6/10

Sibusiso Mabiliso

Another upgrade in the left-back position. At 22, Mabiliso has a wealth of DStv Premiership experience after spending four seasons at AmaZulu and was also part of the 2021 TOKYO Olympic team. His first and only start for Chiefs came in the Soweto derby and the boy was equal to the task. Mabiliso is one for the future and if he can maintain consistency and stay injury-free, he will be one of the best left-backs in the country.

Verdict: Hit 6/10

Keagan Dolly

Keagan Dolly returned to South Africa after spending five years in Ligue 1 playing for Montpellier where he struggled with injuries. Since his return, the Bafana Bafana star has worked hard on his fitness and has been one of the best players in the league. in 13 appearances, the former Sundowns star has scored six goals and recorded five assists.

Verdict: Hit 8/10

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