Are Kaizer Chiefs doing enough in the transfer window to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns & Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League?

Chiefs have been very active in the market, securing six players so far. However, it seems Amakhosi fans are yet to be really excited about an acquisition.

Amakhosi have struggled to secure top talent locally, with clubs said to be reluctant to do business with Amakhosi.

It appears Chiefs have opted to focus on securing top talent from abroad. They recently announced the signing of overseas-based trio Flavio Silva, Ethan Chislett and Nkanyiso Shinga on respective deals last week.

Silva is a Guinea Bissau-born player, but he was based in Indonesia where he played for Persebaya Surabaya, netting nine goals in 33 matches, last season.

Chislett and Shinga, meanwhile, are making their respective homecomings as the Durban-born duo was based in England and Portugal, respectively.

With very little known about these players in the PSL, it remains to be seen whether they will deliver or not.

Among the new faces in Naturena, this season will be the Pirates duo of Thabiso Monyane and Paseko Mako, who were confirmed by the club late last week.

The 25-year-old Monyane joins Chiefs after his contract ran out with Pirates at the end of June.

Meanwhile, the more experienced 31-year-old Mako also had his contract run out at Pirates at the end of last month.

The Chiefs fans, however, will be concerned by the injury history of the Bucs duo, who have struggled to stay fit over the past few seasons, part of the reason Pirates would have let them go.

Amakhosi also announced the arrival of yet another former Bucs player, Siphesihle Ndlovu, who joins from now-defunct SuperSport United to reinforce Chiefs’ rather meek midfield.

However, there’s also a feeling among the Chiefs supporters that Ndlovu’s signing, although much-needed, has come a few seasons too late with the player almost past his prime.

Ndlovu experienced a lull in his career at Pirates, after showing plenty of promise at Maritzburg United a few seasons earlier, but was able to regain his mojo at SuperSport.

As they make room for new arrivals, Chiefs have been forced to get rid of some of the players who have underwhelmed in the last couple of campaigns.

Ranga Chivaviro, who had a nightmare time at Chiefs as he struggled to score goals consistently, was shown the door.

Njabulo Blom was sent back to his parent club St Louis City in Major League Soccer after an underwhelming loan spell back at Naturena.

The likes of Mduduzi Mdantsane and Sabelo Radebe also departed the Glamour Boys. Although these players’ exits were much welcome, that of Edmilson Dove continues to divide opinion.

Chiefs could also reportedly let go of captain Yusuf Maart, who is said to be on the verge of joining an Austrian team, with his departure also expected to cause mixed emotions.

Chiefs are said to have secured agreements to sign the highly-rated attacking duo of Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman.

However, Spurs, who were recently relegated from professional football to the ABC Motsepe League, have ordered the players to return for pre-season training — claiming both remain under contract.

Meanwhile, another player reportedly expected to arrive at Amakhosi is Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro, who spent last season on loan at AmaZulu from parent club Sundowns.

Chiefs have also been after the services of Tanzanian midfielder Faisal Salum, who currently turns out for Azam FC.

PSL

Kaizer Chiefs

Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns