Since the arrival of new coach Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer Chiefs have made significant moves in the transfer market, signing a total of 10 players over two windows.
The club, which had a disappointing 10th-place finish in the previous season of the Betway Premiership, was in dire need of improvement, and Nabi was brought in to turn things around.
Nabi’s Goal of Strengthening the Squad
When Nabi took over, he made it clear that his focus was on enhancing the squad by bringing in players who could elevate the team’s performance. One of his primary goals was to strengthen the attack.
However, it wasn’t until January that he was able to address this concern with the signing of Tashreeq Morris from SuperSport United, who joined the team on a free transfer.
Aside from securing a striker, Nabi also recognized that his squad lacked the necessary experience in the first team.
To address this, he signed experienced players like Fiacre Ntwari, Miguel Cardoso, Gaston Sirino, Njabulo Blom, and Bongani Sam. However, despite these efforts, things didn’t quite go as planned.
Ntwari was eventually dropped, Blom arrived injured and unfit, Sirino suffered injuries, and Sam ended up being surplus to requirements.
This prompted Chiefs to go back to the market for more experienced players.
Chiefs Look to Add Even More Experience
In addition to Morris, Chiefs also brought in Thabo Cele and Glody Lilepo, who went straight into the starting lineup.
The team is reportedly looking for more signings of a similar calibre in the upcoming close-season window.
One of the players that had been linked with a move to Chiefs was Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
Zwane has been sidelined for a while due to a long-term injury, and with Chiefs reportedly keeping an eye on his situation, it seemed possible that the talented playmaker could be heading to Naturena.
However, recent reports suggest that Zwane is now set to stay at Sundowns, much to the disappointment of Chiefs fans.
Zwane Set to Extend Contract with Sundowns
According to Soccer-Laduma, Zwane is on the verge of signing a new deal with Sundowns, which is reportedly “as good as done.”
The club, recognizing his long-standing commitment, is offering him a one-year contract with an additional one-year option.
This move is seen as a way of honoring Zwane’s dedication to Sundowns, and the club wants him to be a part of their squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in June.
For Chiefs, this seems to put an end to any hopes of landing the veteran playmaker.
While nothing is official until the contract is signed, it appears that Zwane will remain with Sundowns for the foreseeable future.
What Do Fans Think About This Decision?
With Zwane set to stay at Sundowns, fans of both clubs may have mixed feelings.
Chiefs supporters may feel disappointed that a potential signing has fallen through, while Sundowns fans will likely be thrilled to see their key player stay.
What do you think? Would you have liked to see Zwane at Kaizer Chiefs, or are you happy to see him remain at Sundowns?