Kaizer Chiefs to reduce average age: Here are the 13 players aged 30+

Change is coming at Kaizer Chiefs. This part was brought home by the club’s Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jnr just two months ago.

During a recent briefing of the media, the former Kaizer Chiefs striker turned senior manager explained the club’s decision on the age range in the squad.

Here’s what he said as reported by The South African in February:

“I think it’s key for everyone to understand, and something the club is always going to say, that youth is part of our main strategy. We have to reduce the average age of the team.

“And it’s not just us. If you look at world football and how you can bring the right change, most clubs have had a great balance in youth, and you have to start somewhere.

“Most of the legends who have donned our jersey who have made us who we are today started as teenagers, whether it’s Doctor [Khumalo], whether it’s our own chairperson who was 16, whether it’s Thabo Mooki,” he added.

“Of course, you’ve got to have the right balance of quality youth and quality experience but it’s a huge component for us.

“In the Caf Champions League, we achieved a piece of personal history and in the game that got us into the knockout stages, we had five players from the academy on the field.”

“So, I think it is lacking the right balance between the right level of experience, the right quality, and the right quality in youth, and it’s a huge point for me, in terms of my responsibility, to reduce the average age of the squad,” concluded Motaung Jnr.

WHAT DEFINES AN OLD PLAYER AND WHO MIGHT LEAVE KAIZER CHIEFS?

The general view around the world has long been convinced that the age of 30 is when a footballer becomes old.

We can say this is true based on the business of contracts and sporting definition. We can’t deny the fact that sport belongs to the young.

However, the definition is more complicated when we’re talking about fitness, performance, and leadership on the pitch. This is where coaches will tell you about the high value of experienced players.

Nevertheless, let’s look at Amakhosi’s players that are 30 and older, based on the business of professional football contracts.

KAIZER CHIEFS PLAYERS AGED 30 AND ABOVE

From the squad’s sum of 33 players, we’ve found a total of 13 players who are 30 and older. Check out the list below:

1. Daniel Akpeyi, goalkeeper: 35
2. Itumeleng Khune, goalkeeper, 34
3. Daniel Cardoso, central defender, 33
4. Erick Mathoho, central defender, 32
5. Ramahlwe Mphahle, central defender, 32
6. Sifiso Hlanti, left-back, 31
7. Cole Alexander, midfielder, 32
8. Kearyn Baccus, midfielder, 30
9. Phathutshedzo Nange, midfielder, 30
10. Lebogang Manyama, attacking midfielder, 31
11. Bernard Parker, utility player, 36
12. Khama Billiat, forward, 31
13. Leonardo Castro, striker, 32.

Special mention: Samir Nurkovic is only turning 30 on the 13th of June.

So who will be departing at the end of June? It is most likely the 30+ players whose contracts are ending.