Kaizer Chiefs Sign Congolese International Glody Makabi Lilepo From Valenciennes FC to Strengthen Attack and Enhance Squad Depth in Johannesburg

At the beginning of the year, fans were buzzing with excitement when Kaizer Chiefs made a big splash in the transfer market.

Among their new signings was the talented Congolese international, Glody Makabi Lilepo, who joined from French club Valenciennes FC.

This acquisition was a clear statement of intent from Amakhosi, signaling their aim to strengthen their attacking lineup.

The signing of a player with international experience was certainly a highlight, marking their first move in the January transfer window.

Lilepo, who boasts 11 caps for the DR Congo national team, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Chiefs, with an option to extend for another season.

A Strong Start, but Challenges Ahead

Although there’s still plenty of hope for Lilepo’s career at Chiefs, things have taken a turn on the international front.

Despite his promising start with the Glamour Boys, his national team prospects have hit a bump.

According to KickOff, DR Congo’s head coach, Sebastien Desabre, has made the decision to exclude Lilepo from recent call-ups due to disciplinary issues.

It seems that after his last selection, the 27-year-old had an unfortunate reaction.

He reportedly refused to travel with the team bus to the stadium after being dropped from the matchday squad, a move that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the national team’s staff.

As a result, Lilepo has not been called up since his last appearance for DR Congo in a 2023 match against Uganda, and it appears he may be sidelined for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers unless there is a significant shift in his situation.

Focus Shifts to Kaizer Chiefs

With these international challenges, the big question is whether Lilepo can maintain his focus and continue making an impact for Kaizer Chiefs.

The team’s next major test is this Saturday, as they face Stellenbosch FC in a crucial Nedbank Cup quarter-final match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Coach Nasreddine Nabi spoke about the team’s ongoing need for consistency, acknowledging that their performances have fluctuated.

“Sometimes very good, sometimes below the standard we should be at.

This isn’t uncommon at this stage after starting a new process from the beginning,” Nabi explained.

He added that while there are many opinions about what needs to improve, the team is fully aware of where they are in their development and how they plan to move forward.