Kaizer Chiefs’ massive clear-out this week, with as many as 20 players affected by the changes at Naturena, is proof that the club’s approach during the transfer window last season was an epic disaster.
Only three of their recruits from the 2015/16 campaign - Daniel Cardoso, Camaldine Abraw and William Twala - survived the guillotine.
The noise about the apparent jumble sale, with marquee signing Siyanda Xulu, Bongani Ndulula, Edward Manqele, Siphelele Mthembu, Sula Matovu and Ivan Bukenya all on the way out, is a little bit deceiving.
In as much as Amakhosi are showing their intentions to rebuild and give coach Steve Komphela all the backing he needs to thrive next season after Chiefs surrendered their Absa Premiership title without really putting up a fight, those on their way out have been fringe players at best.
It is a move in the right direction - a fresh start that already sets the tone for Komphela’s second year at the helm.
But where will Bobby Motaung, the Amakhosi football manager, find adequate replacements in a league where players are often overpriced? Chiefs have also never been a club to show belief in young players, having embarked on an incredible shopping spree upon Stuart Baxter’s arrival four years ago to win the league title for the first time since 2005 under the late Ted Dumitru.
In an interview with The Star recently, player agent Tim Sukazi revealed that clubs were struggling to purchase high-profile players, adding that he expected a rather dull transfer window as PSL teams chase the August 31 deadline. Chiefs will definitely be in that category, with replacements for the players released and put up for sale this week likely to be average, unless Motaung goes to town with the chequebook.
“It is going to be one of those somber windows compared to other years. The main reason is that clubs don’t necessarily have the buying power lately. The economy of the game is changing,” said Sukazi, who himself will have to find a willing buyer for a few of his clients at Chiefs with Bongani Ndulula, Simphiwe Mtsweni and Levy Mokgothu, to name three, now surplus to requirements.
“People are now very careful regarding acquisitions in my view, and the numbers are high. You are sitting with clubs that are not cash-heavy, but there are certain players they want even though they cannot afford them. You now have to keep the player, at the very least, on the same salary. I find this to be mission impossible.”
Chiefs will be making further announcements on player movements between now and August, with the focus on finding a suitable alternative for midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane who will join Baxter at SuperSport United as well as a goal scorer to help Abraw and Bernard Parker, who struggled last season. The club announced that Keagan Ritchie will also be heading to SuperSport following an agreement for a swap deal for left-back Sibusiso Khumalo to go the other way.
Chiefs departures: Reyaad Pieterse, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Morgan Gould, Siboniso Gaxa, Philani Cele, Ovidy Karuru, Levy Mokgothu, Simphiwe Mtsweni, Shandukani Mulovhedzi, Chris Matombo, Zitha Macheke, Siyanda Xulu, Bongani Ndulula, Edward Manqele, Siphelele Mthembu, Sula Matovu, Ivan Bukenya, Andisiwe Mtsila, David Zulu, and Keegan Ritchie
Chiefs arrivals: Sibusiso Khumalo - The Star
@superjourno