Kaizer Chiefs | Ex-EPL star NOT the first to be keen on Amakhosi move!

Kaizer Chiefs have had many players with European experience join them over the years but they have turned down a few former English Premier League (EPL) stars.

Shaun Bartlett remains the last player to actually sign for Chiefs straight after starring in the EPL.

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And this was in 2006 when Bartlett was in the twilight of his career and looking to complete a full circle by retiring from professional football at home.

Now, former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama has expressed the desire to play for either of South Africa’s Big Three – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, or Mamelodi Sundowns – before retiring from football.

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Wanyama is a full Kenya international and a very talented footballer any African team would be pleased to have. He’s currently plying his trade in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US.

BENNI MCCARTHY

In 2011, Benni McCarthy left Premier League side West Ham United for a return to South Africa.

He admitted wanting to play for Chiefs but football manager Bobby Motaung allegedly called him ‘finished’ as he shot down the idea of signing the all-time Bafana Bafana top goalscorer.

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McCarthy, who publicly admitted that he was a staunch Chiefs fan, then signed for arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.  

STEVEN PIENAAR

Steven Pienaar retired not so long after leaving Sunderland, and just before he quit playing, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates were among the teams reported to be interested in him.

Again, Chiefs distanced themselves from the possibility of signing Pienaar, citing his age as a factor at the time.

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Pienaar ended up signing for the now-defunct Bidvest Wits where lasted for half-a-season before hanging up his boots.

ASAMOAH GYAN

Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan was linked with moves to South Africa, Egypt and Ghana before securing a deal to play in India in October 2020.

Gyan was believed to be interested in playing for any of the big teams in the PSL, including Kaizer Chiefs.

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However, that didn’t happen as Chiefs looked away due to the transfer ban but apart from that, it was going to take some special for the Soweto giants to even entertain the idea.

SULLEY MUNTARI

Sulley Muntari played for Portsmouth and Sunderland in the Premier League but it was at Inter and AC Milan where he really shone.

Earlier this year, Muntari reportedly issued a ‘come-and-get-me’ plea to Kaizer Chiefs but whether or not his dream will come true remains to be seen.

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Maritzburg United are also believed to be keen on the former Ghana international.