Luke Baartman, Asenele Velebayi & Etiosa Ighodaro round up Kaizer Chiefs' latest signings as Mfundo Vilakazi, Wandile Duba & company need to step up in pursuit for PSL glory

One of the most notable acquisitions is Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro, a signing that many have long awaited. Unlike Flavio Silva, Ighodaro is well-acquainted with the PSL, having plied his trade at Chippa United and AmaZulu. The striker is expected to fill the long-vacant void that has challenged Chiefs for some time. As a traditional target man, his presence in the box should give Chiefs more freedom to exploit wing play and create opportunities. That said, it won’t all be smooth sailing for Ighodaro - the Chiefs jersey carries weight, and all eyes will be on him to deliver the goals.

There’s Asanele Velebayi, the 22-year-old former Cape Town Spurs winger, who shone brightly even when his previous team struggled. Chiefs have chased Velebayi for a while, navigating even the PSL dispute resolution chamber to secure his signature. Yet Chiefs fans will remember past gambles, like the pursuit of Siphelele Ntshangase, which ended in disappointment despite high hopes after chasing him for years. The hope now is that Velebayi will hit the ground running, rewarding Chiefs’ persistence and giving them a winger who can truly make a difference after all the trials and tribulations involved in signing him.

Another exciting young talent to watch is 19-year-old Luke Baartman. Also hailing from Cape Town Spurs, Baartman’s arrival reduces the squad’s average age and brings a fresh spark. Importantly, Baartman and Velebayi already share strong chemistry from their time together at Spurs, making this a clever coup for Chiefs’ technical team, who won’t need to start from scratch in building attacking combinations. 

While Baartman might not be a regular starter just yet - competing against seasoned forwards like Ighodaro, Tashreeq Morris, and Silva - he could be Chiefs’ next Relebohile Mofokeng in the making. The question is, will Nabi dare to place his faith in a teenager at such a pivotal stage?

Congolese international Lilepo has reason to be optimistic, seeing the quality and depth Chiefs have added around him. Towards the end of last season, he seemed to be carrying the team almost single-handedly, and even during pre-season, he was the liveliest player on the pitch. With the new signings providing more options going forward, Lilepo can now focus on refining his game in a specific position rather than shouldering the entire creative burden alone. This added support could unlock an even better level from the versatile attacker.

Of course, the old guard must now face the challenge of increased competition for places. Players like Wandile Duba, who have been stalwarts at the club in Nabi's tenure, know that one slip could see them relegated to the bench. For Duba, every opportunity will count as Chiefs build a squad that demands excellence in every training session and match. 

Meanwhile, youngster Mfundo Vilakazi, who has yet to cement a starting role, will find it even tougher to break through with new signings raising the bar. This fierce internal competition is a boon for coach Nabi and his staff, ensuring the team pushes itself harder to secure every spot - exactly the kind of environment a title-winning side needs.

Chiefs latest news

PSL log

PSL fixtures