In late 2020, this publication did a deep dive into Kaizer Chiefs' transfers over the previous seven transfer windows prior to a FIFA transfer ban. At the time, it was deemed that of the 23 players acquired, only seven had been a success, whilst the other 16 turned out to be flops. Whilst coach Gavin Hunt was unable to make any additions to his squad, subsequent coaches have been heavily backed by the club in the transfer window… even if the head coaches don't always get much say of who comes through the door. Some three years later, it's time for an update. How many of the 29 players signed over the last five transfers windows have met expectations so far? How many have failed due to poor scouting or any reasons? In this feature, Soccer Laduma reviews every addition and hands out SUCCESS, FLOP, JURY STILL OUT verdicts.
Keagan Dolly
The former Montpellier playmaker is arguably the biggest signing made by the side since they recruited Khama Billiat from Mamelodi Sundowns. He had not played much in the four previous years, but after a few slow matches, he had an excellent first six months under Stuart Baxter. At one point, he scored six goals and added five assists in a brilliant 10-game streak. His form dipped in the second half of the season, especially once Arthur Zwane took charge and played him deeper or on the left. Last term, he netted six goals, but his form was inconsistent and he lost his Bafana Bafana place. In April, a serious knee injury meant six months on the treatment table. Considering the Westbury-born man is said to be earning close to R1 million a month, that was an expensive time for Amakhosi to be getting no return on their investment. His signing was a risk and it's only paid off for short periods of hot form.
VERDICT: SUCCESS, but injuries or continued average performances could still see him regarded as a flop by the time he departs the club.
Phathutshedzo Nange
After some great displays in the bio-bubble for Bidvest Wits and then five goals 'on loan' at Stellenbosch FC, the lanky star looked a smart addition. His first season at the Naturena-based side was largely very good. He excelled under Baxter in a deeper role thanks to his penetrative passing to find Dolly between the lines. That season ended with him getting a Bafana debut in the away loss to Morocco, such was his form at club level. Last season, he was barely used by Zwane with just 142 minutes of pitch time as injuries also played a major part. His signing made sense, but Chiefs arguably signed him two years too late.
VERDICT: FLOP, with injuries taking their toll and Zwane not trusting or rating him as a player.
Kgaogelo Sekgota
The winger returned to local shores after his time in Europe and joined Wits. He didn't play much football there and his 'loan' at Moroka Swallows gave him some much-needed experience. At the Soweto giants, he got a few starts under Baxter, but the coach wasn't really using wingers. In fact, Sekgota started one game on the right of a midfield diamond. There were no goals or assists in his first season, but some strong form under Zwane saw him handed three outings for the national team. Zwane gave him zero starts after the World Cup break for an unknown reason and he was released from his contract a year early to join Stellies.
VERDICT: FLOP. He had six good months in two seasons, but he was always a gamble based on potential. It simply did not work out.
Sibusiso Mabiliso
The left back was one of nine signings made prior to 2021/22 and arguably looked the best addition overall at the time. He had experience despite being just 22 and had played very well for AmaZulu FC under Benni McCarthy. He joined on a three-year deal, but Baxter simply didn't rate him and his successor didn't really use him either. He managed just 160 minutes in total for the side having been in Hugo Broos' Bafana plans initially. After one season, his contract was terminated. The player maintains he was never injured at Chiefs, so he paid the price for the coaches not rating him and the club signing Sifiso Hlanti at the same time.
VERDICT: FLOP. His addition seemed sensible, but it simply didn't work out.
Cole Alexander
The arrival of Baxter meant a three-year contract for the British coach's trusted soldier. He started 10 of the first 16 games in his first campaign, doing a relatively steady job in midfield. After a two-month injury, he came back and was even trusted by '10111' as he got five starts in seven fixtures under the caretaker coach. His second season saw several factors to blame for his lack of minutes. There were injuries, the coach didn't rate him and the new signings in the engine room suited the style of play better. His deal was mutually ended with a year left.
VERDICT: FLOP. Amakhosi backed Baxter's judgement, but the coach was gone less than one year into Alexander's three-year contract.
Sifiso Hlanti
The experienced left back was signed a year before Baxter was appointed, but he benefitted from the coach knowing him from international duty. His start at Naturena was strong and he earned a recall to the national team fold. An injury ended his season in November and he spent nine months on the sidelines. Upon his return, Zwane trusted him and was rewarded with most reliable performances. We saw more defensive issues arise as the season went on and those troubles have also been seen this term. He always felt like a stop-gap addition and it was probably a mistake to renew his contract under Molefi Ntseki.
VERDICT: FLOP. This is a tough one, but Hlanti's long-term injury absence and recent displays have tilted this signing more towards being a flop than a success.
Njabulo Ngcobo
He was signed after winning the PSL Defender of the Season award. Sadly, things have not worked out for him. His first few months saw him playing as a defensive midfielder under Baxter, where he looked promising. His campaign ended with some big mistakes and a public fallout with Zwane. His second season saw a run of 24 games without starting and plenty of mistakes, including against Stellenbosch, Sundowns and Swallows. He's had a few games this term but can't win a regular spot.
VERDICT: FLOP. With how his second season went, he is arguably fortunate still to be a Chiefs player.
Austin Dube
There is not much to be said here. He was signed at the age of 28 having never played a single match in the topflight. Baxter handed him 11 starts in 23 league fixtures in charge despite his debut seeing two errors in a loss to Sundowns. Under Zwane, Dube made just two appearances in 44 matches as he was basically frozen out. He was allowed to leave in June despite having a year left on his deal.
VERDICT: FLOP. He never looked like a Chiefs-quality player and his signing made no logical sense.
Brandon Petersen
He arrived at the club after a serious injury and with fewer career games under his belt than you may have thought (just 49 top-flight appearances). He's surprisingly been the captain this season. His first campaign was a slow burner, but he managed 10 clean sheets under Zwane in 21 starts. Unfortunately, last season ended with two bad mistakes. This season has been one to forget for the goalkeeper. Although he has made some top saves, there have been a number of howlers to cost the team points and his confidence looks totally depleted.
VERDICT: FLOP. There is still time to turn things around, though.
Ashley Du Preez
A R10 million signing, so big things were expected. His signing made sense for his age, pace and potential. His first season was steady initially as a winger, creating a fair few goals. He came into his own when Zwane moved him to a central striker role and he began scoring more often. Overall, he netted nine goals in 2022/23. This term has sadly seen a few injuries, but when he is fit, he often completely carries the Chiefs attack. He is a consistent weapon and works extremely hard off the ball too. There is clearly a lot more to come from him.
VERDICT: SUCCESS. He is one of the club's most important players.
Christian Saile
As mentioned in a recent feature, Saile has shown plenty of flashes at the Glamour Boys so far. He's unfortunately been used out of position too often. Instead of playing as a right winger, we've seen him through the middle or down the left. His early impact saw some goals and assists and drawing a red card in the Soweto Derby. When he enters as a substitute, he can have a big impact. He looked a very shrewd signing from the Zambian league and brings explosivity to the frontline.
VERDICT: SUCCESS, but it's still early days and Chiefs should be using him more effectively.
Yusuf Maart
A R5 million signing from Sekhukhune United, he came in to refresh an ageing and underperforming midfield. His first season saw him as an undisputed starter as he was named in the XI for 34 of the club's 37 encounters. Without doubt, he gave some impressive displays, but his consistency was lacking at times. Some of that is down to playing as a lone six, in a double pivot, as a number eight or even as a number 10 of sorts. His best role is not totally clear yet. He has again played well this season, but he does need to do more in terms of creating goals and helping Chiefs to win matches.
VERDICT: SUCCESS, but we still need to see even more from him.
Zitha Kwinika
Another signing from Stellies, his return to Amakhosi for R3 million was meant to solidify a stale and old defence. He played plenty of minutes last season, but he lost his place at one stage and Zwane seemingly began to doubt his credentials as a central defender. He moved to right back to good effect at times. The club's decision to go and sign three new centre-backs is a sign that they don't have full trust in Kwinika and he has basically been a rotation or fringe option since March under three different coaches.
VERDICT: FLOP. Sadly, it's hard to see him even becoming a regular starter again. For the fee paid, more was expected.
Siyethemba Sithebe
Following a six-month wait to join Chiefs after signing a pre-contract, the 29-year-old finally arrived. He initially played regularly and started the first 10 games last season. However, he was often used in quite an attacking role where he had little effect beyond some wayward shooting. He had a long spell out of the team but ended last season doing quite a strong job in a double pivot. This season, he has basically been a non-entity after two new central midfielders were signed. It's hard to see him lasting much longer at the club, sadly. He was arguably signed a couple of years too late.
VERDICT: FLOP, but he has done a reasonable stop-gap job in the engine room.
Kamohelo Mahlatsi
The skilful attacking midfielder lasted one season at Naturena. 'Mangethe' only handed him 218 minutes on the pitch with two starts, both as a narrow left winger. He did not impress in those outings. His addition was also a bit of a punt, as the hope of him fulfilling the potential of his teenage years has never materialised. He lacked the physicality, experience and durability to make it at the best-supported club in the land.
VERDICT: FLOP. He was released early and never looked like anything more than a hopeful gamble.
Dillan Solomons
The Soweto giants went and beat Royal AM to the signing of Solomons from Swallows. He was recruited on the back of 12 matches as a right back for the Dube Birds. Zwane initially used him regularly and his form was quite mixed to say the least. He ended last season out of favour, with Reeve Frosler and Kwinika preferred to him. This term has seen Solomons as a back-up player with hardly any minutes on the pitch. Neither Ntseki nor Cavin Johnson seem to trust him defensively in his recently-converted right back role and his outings as a winger have been very underwhelming. Like many others, there wasn't enough shown at his previous club to justify a move to Chiefs and he probably won't be in the squad by the start of next season.
VERDICT: FLOP. He gives his all, but a move to Chiefs was a step too far for him.
George Matlou
The attacking number eight showed flashes of his creativity and dribbling at Swallows. He ended that season with the Birds only starting two of the final 11 fixtures as injuries took their toll. That proved a precursor to the same fitness problems at Amakhosi. He initially had a top outing under Zwane against Maritzburg United, but he could only get five starts in his first season, with none of those coming after late October. This season saw a streak of nice displays as a number eight, but just as he threatened to become a regular starter, injuries hit again. The signing of Sibongiseni Mthethwa makes it hard for Matlou to start matches in future.
VERDICT: FLOP, but he could still prove a success if he can stay fit and win a starting place. The talent is there.
Edmilson Dove
After a serious knee injury and dip in form at Cape Town City, the club took the plunge on signing the Mozambican. Every single one of his outings last season were as a central defender as Zwane showed full trust in him. There were some Man of the Match displays as he proved a strong and aggressive marker on his good days. Unfortunately, there were quite a few bad mistakes too. Most of those were loose passes in the build-up, which led to goals. It says a lot that Chiefs signed Thatayaone Ditlhokwe in the position which Dove occupied last term. He has played left back for the most part this season, but his athleticism isn't what it was and a fullback role may no longer suit him.
VERDICT: JURY STILL OUT. The next six months could see him starting regularly or being shown the door. That will dictate how this transfer is remembered.
Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana
The Burundian striker spent many weeks on trial at Chiefs before finally being handed a three-year contract. He started really well and looked like the real deal with seven goals in his first seven games started (four of those from the penalty spot). His finishing was a bit wild and he tended to miss lots of clear openings, but the potential was clear to see. However, once the World Cup break came, he was frozen out by Zwane and the duo clearly had a breakdown in their relationship. Ntseki looked set to give him another look, but his deal was instead terminated two years early!
VERDICT: FLOP, but he actually looked promising and the club should have retained his services for at least one year to see how he developed.
Signings From The Last Transfer Window
Thatayaone Ditlhokwe
It is still early days for the Botswana captain at Chiefs. He arrived on a free transfer and has been a mainstay of the back four under both Ntseki and Johnson (at least up until now). His performances have been very mixed so far. He is clearly a brave, physical defender who protects his box well. However, his ball-playing ability is severely lacking and many teams have targeted this weakness.
VERDICT: JURY STILL OUT, and this could really go either way. He could be a key player for many years to come or he could find himself losing his starting place due to arguably being a poor fit for the style of play.
Pule Mmodi
In terms of profile, the signing of Mmodi made sense. However, Amakhosi arguably needed to sign him 18 months earlier as he is already around the 30-year-old mark. His first few months have seen three goals scored and flashes of his class. Since Johnson took over, he hasn't been a certain starter and that is quite concerning.
VERDICT: JURY STILL OUT. For most signings made in the last window, it is too early to make a definite judgment.
Tebogo Potsane
In the speedy winger, the club signed someone past the age of 30 and a winger with a very underwhelming goalscoring record. He played a fair bit under Ntseki and was occasionally good and sometimes on the periphery of matches. He has a lot to do in the coming months with Dolly and Saile competing with him for a spot.
VERDICT: JURY STILL OUT. Things don't look overly promising and it would be a surprise if Potsane turned out to be a successful signing.
Ranga Chivaviro
The burly striker netted 17 goals last season, but that was the first prolific campaign for a top-flight side in his career. He recently turned 31, so there is no time for patience – he was signed to hit the ground running and solve the Glamour Boys' problems in scoring goals. He has started the last three games and netted against Cape Town Spurs, but he is unlikely to start once Du Preez is fit.
VERDICT: FLOP. Whilst he brings something to the table, Chiefs acquired an older striker who didn't have a consistent record of scoring goals. This one is more likely to end as a flop than as a success, sadly.
Edson Castillo
Amakhosi's scouting network found a good one here. Castillo is vastly experienced and has faced Brazil in international matches for Venezuela. For a largely destructive midfielder, he has shown remarkable attacking instincts too with five goals scored up to this point. There is still some debate over his best position, but this is looking like a very shrewd signing and one of the best made in the last decade by the side.
VERDICT: SUCCESS. It's early days, but this transfer has been a major positive so far.
Given Msimango
On paper, this deal saw a TS Galaxy captain with plenty of experience, the perfect age and a good profile for a modern style of play. He began really well and then was suddenly dropped by Ntseki. Johnson has recalled him of late and he should be the first defender on the team sheet right now.
VERDICT: JURY STILL OUT. This transfer should turn out to be a success. Msimango has all the tools to be a top performer for Chiefs in years to come.
Mduduzi Mdantsane
A former Chiefs development player, Mdantsane arrived as Cape Town City's record scorer. However, his form had been on a downward trajectory for 18 months in the Mother City. He arrived in a squad with at least three other options for the number 10 role already and he is now 10 matches without starting. Amakhosi went and spent a big fee in the region of R3.5 million, but it just didn't make logical sense.
VERDICT: FLOP. Whilst he could turn things around, this signing had red flags to begin with and it may turn out to be a case of wasted money.
Jasond Gonzalez
The physical forward has not had many minutes yet. Johnson spoke about him beginning to adjust, so we could see more minutes for him over coming months. He is only on loan, so this was something of a low-risk punt.
VERDICT: JURY STILL OUT. We have to see a lot more of the Colombian in the next six months for the club to make a decision on whether to retain his services or not.
Sibongiseni Mthethwa
After just two months at the side, it is too early to decide whether this is a good signing. He plays in an area that needed reinforcing, but does 'Ox' suit a possession-heavy style of play? Why did Chiefs wait until nine matches into this season to activate his release clause? It's been a slow start to life at a big club and there are already a few red flags to keep an eye on.
VERDICT: JURY STILL OUT
Luke Fleurs
The young defender was being called up to Bafana squads not long ago. Gavin Hunt clearly didn't rate Fleurs at SuperSport United and his release allowed Chiefs to pick him up for free. He has been training with the Glamour Boys for a couple of months, but he is yet to make a matchday squad. Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. said, "The young man has great technical abilities and I think he will fit really well into how we want to approach the game and the kind of football we would like to play going forward." On paper, this signing is a no-brainer, but there are so many central defenders to compete with for minutes. A proper pathway needs to be opened up for a player with very high potential.
VERDICT: JURY STILL OUT
Success Stories Few And Far Between
When we last did this deep study, the Soweto giants had signed seven success stories across seven transfer windows. Those additions which worked out were Samir Nurkovic, Daniel Akpeyi, Dax (Arohasina Andrianarimanana), Reeve Frosler, Lebogang Manyama, Teenage Hadebe and Leonardo Castro. Very few subsequent additions can be called a success aside from Du Preez, Dolly (and that one is a debate) and Castillo, whilst Maart and Saile have done well. That means we currently sit at five success stories out of 29 transfers with the jury still out on most of the additions made in the last transfer window. That is a success rate right now of just 17%. For Chiefs' sake, they need the likes of Mmodi, Msimango and a few others to turn into real success stories over the next few months.
