Kaizer Chiefs latest | EIGHT new stars, but who are NOT safe at Naturena?

Kaizer Chiefs have done their business quietly behind the scenes with EIGHT new players already on their books but which ones are NOT safe?

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The current Chiefs squad is set to be overhauled after ‘underachieving’ in the last two seasons despite being together for years.

‘Underachieving’ in this context simply means failure to deliver trophies, and for that reason, new players had to be brought in to try and add a different dimension.

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Chiefs signed goalkeeper Brendon Peterson, centre-backs Njabulo Ngcobo and Austin Dube, left-backs Sifiso Hlanti and Sibusiso Mabiliso as well as central midfielders Phathutshedzo Nange, and winger Kgaogelo Sekgota.

In addition, Chiefs recalled Given Thibedi who spent the last two seasons on loan at Swallows FC to bolster their midfield.

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The South African is predicting the players, department by department, who could make way for the new ones that have just been signed by Chiefs.

GOALKEEPERS

With Peterson now on board, Chiefs have six goalkeepers on their books including Itumeleng Khune, Daniel Akpeyi, Bruce Bvuma, Brylon Petersen and Bontle Molefe.

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In a normal situation, those in the twilight of their careers such as Khune and Akpeyi would be phased out to give the younger ones an opportunity.

However, it doesn’t look like this will happen with Chiefs, especially in the coming season given the challenges they faced in the past and the experience the team still needs in that department.

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Peterson hasn’t kicked a ball in almost a year, and releasing both Khune and Akpeyi could be detrimental to their chances of competing next season.

Instead, the goalkeeper that’s likely to be sacrificed is Petersen, who is 25-years-old but yet to make his professional debut for Chiefs.

DEFENDERS

Ngcobo and Dube formed a solid partnership for Bafana Bafana at the recent Cosafa Cup tournament, and the partnership left a section of Chiefs fans excited.

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And that alone could mean the end of an era for the Eric Mathoho/Daniel Cardoso partnership although the pair are unlikely to be given the boot.

The only centre-back that could be axed is none other than Anthony Agay who, in all honesty, hasn’t given Chiefs much since his arrival.

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Furthermore, the two new left-backs – Hlanti and Mabiliso – could force Yagan Sasman, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya and Philani Zulu out at Chiefs.

Interestingly, Chiefs have played Reeve Frosler and Happy Mashiane in that left-back position even with the abovementioned trio available for selection.

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Kgotso Moleko, who’s a right-back, is also likely to be released after contributing very little on the pitch last season.

MIDFIELDERS

Chiefs could be left with a very thin midfield in terms of experience ahead of next season if the majority of the midfielders are offloaded.

With Nange, Thibedi and Sekgota in, a tough call has to be made on the future of veteran midfielder Bernard Parker.

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Parker, who was only handed a one-month deal by Chiefs, could be on his way out in order to make way for the new players.

Willard Katsande could be safe despite the arrival of Nange and Thibedi, and that’s because he’s already signed a one-year deal with Chiefs as per media reports.

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However, he is not be expected to feature heavily for Chiefs given his age – meaning his role would be to guide the younger ones in that position.

STRIKERS

Chiefs haven’t reinforced their striking department as yet but there is one player who’s definitely not safe going into the new season.

Lazarous Kambole has been with Chiefs for two seasons but his single strike since his arrival in 2019 doesn’t look good at all.

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And for that reason, Chiefs could look for a new striker to replace him because after all, they cannot only rely on Leonard Castro and Samir Nurkovic for goals.