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Samuel Nkosi

The five strikers Kaizer Chiefs could target in the off-season transfer window to give Nasreddine Nabi the marksman he needs to solve their goal scoring woes

Amakhosi's strikers have been outscored by their midfield youngsters and the Soweto giants are in desperate need of a striker upgrade.

Kaizer Chiefs' struggles to find the back of the net have been a recurring theme in recent seasons. With the team's scoring challenges not showing signs of abating, the Soweto giants are likely to go into the off-season transfer market to beef up their striker options.

Chiefs have been firing blanks in front of the goal, which has seen them fail to consistently claim positive results. In what has been an underwhelming season for the Phefeni-based side, they have scored just 24 goals in 25 matches in the league.

The lack of firepower sees Amakhosi sitting eighth on the league table with 31 points after winning only eight games, drawing seven, and suffering 10 defeats. The Naturena-based side had renewed hopes at the start of the 2024/25 season after the appointment of Nasreddine Nabi as the head coach; however, the Tunisian mentor has seemingly struggled to turn their fortunes around without a quality frontman to turn their chances into goals.

Nabi has on many occasions bemoaned Chiefs' struggles to find the back of the net, stressing the importance of going to the market to search for a proven goal scorer. The Glamour Boys currently have Ranga Chivaviro, Ashley Du Preez and Tashreeq Morris in the striking department but with all three firing blanks for most of the season, Nabi has been forced to use the likes of Wandile Duba and Makabi Lilepo as strikers.

Kaizer Chiefs have a chance of finishing the season with silverware after making it to the final of the Nedbank Cup, where they'll face arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on the 10th of May.

Meanwhile, Chiefs' shortcomings in front of the goal could be detrimental to their desire to defeat Pirates and win a trophy for the first time since 2015.

GOAL looks at the strikers Chiefs should target in the next transfer window:

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  • Fiston Mayele, PyramidsPyramids

    FISTON MAYELE - PYRAMIDS FC

    The DR Congo international has a proven goal-scoring record, experience on the African continent and previously played under Nabi at Yanga, which makes him a perfect fit for Kaizer Chiefs.

    His ability to find the back of the net consistently would be a huge asset to the team in providing a much-needed firepower in attack.

    Mayele has scored 52 goals and chipped in with 13 assists in 105 matches across his spells with AS Vita, Yanga, and Pyramids.

    The 30-year-old was apparently offered to Chiefs before he moved to the Egyptian club in June 2023, but the deal fell through over the transfer fee. Could Chiefs desperation for a reliable marksman and Nabi's history with the player see that deal revisited in the off-season?

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  • Cassius Mailula, Wydad AC, January 2025Wydad AC

    CASSIUS MAILULA - WYDAD AC (LOAN)

    The highly-rated attacker's pace, skill, and abilities make him an ideal fit for Kaizer Chiefs. Mailula is currently on loan at Wydad Casablanca after joining at the start of the 2024/25 campaign from Major League Soccer [MLS] team Toronto FC.

    In his first season in the Moroccan top-flight, the Bafana Bafana international has showcased his attacking prowess under the guidance of Rulani Mokwena after scoring three goals and contributing six assists in 28 games, even winning the Player of the Month award in February 2025.

    With Mailula facing an uncertain future with his parent club, Toronto FC, he could be available to sign for a new club in the next transfer window, and Kaizer Chiefs should be the first team to pounce on his signature.

  • Fagrie Lakay, Ceramica CleopatraCleopatra Facebook page

    FAGRIE LAKAY - CLEOPATRA FC (LOAN)

    Just like Mailula, Lakay is facing a bleak future with his parent club, Pyramids FC, as he was sent on a season-long loan to Cleopatra FC to get sufficient game time at the start of the Egyptian Premier League.

    The Cape Town-born striker is one of the more technically gifted forwards, and his talent to eliminate defenders and score goals would make him a proper fit for Kaizer Chiefs. But Lakay's loan spell has not gone to plan with the 27-year-old only scoring three goals and providing five assists in 1,839 minutes for Cleopatra this season.

    A move to Chiefs and a return to the PSL could reinvigorate the Capetonian's career, but is he really the reliable goal scorer Amakhosi need?

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  • Dzenan Zajmovic, TS Galaxy, February 2025Backpagepix

    DZENAN ZAJMOVIC - TS GALAXY

    In his first season in the SA’s elite league, Dzenan Zajmovic has been in a good run of form for TS Galaxy. The 30-year-old joined the Rockets in July 2024, and he has quickly established himself as a fan favourite in the PSL.

    Zajmovic has been one of the standout performers for Galaxy after scoring 12 goals and assisting three in 27 matches across all competitions and sits third (with 8 league goals) on the 2024/25 PSL Top Scorers list behind Sundowns duo Lucas Ribeiro (13) and Iqraam Rayners (9).

    Interestingly, the goal-poacher has already expressed his wish to play for one of the big clubs so he can win titles in South Africa.

    The 6-foot-3 Bosnian national has shown Mzansi he can score from dead-ball situations and is a clinical finisher with both left and right feet, which could be just the type of striker Chiefs need to cure their goal-scoring woes.

  • Zakhele Lepasa Orlando PiratesBackpagepix

    ZAKHELE LEPASA - ORLANDO PIRATES

    Having fallen down the pecking order at Orlando Pirates and with Jose Riveiro set to depart the club, Lepasa could be eager to bring his career back on track in a new environment.

    The former SA junior international is a proven goal-scorer and has also won a handful of domestic trophies. Last season, Lepasa netted 10 goals in 23 matches for Pirates but has succumbed to a long-term injury that has sidelined him all season.

    The 28-year-old is yet to feature for Pirates in any competitive matches due to his injury, but even with the news that he is nearing full fitness, he still has to contend with the tough competition from Evidence Makgopa, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Boitumelo Radiopane in the Ghosts' striking positions.

    Lepasa's experience of playing in the PSL, Caf Champions League and Bafana Bafana could be vital for a Chiefs side that has often looked inexperienced during Nabi's first season in charge..

  • Ashley du Preez and Dillan Solomons, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

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