Kaizer Chiefs have looked to be heading for another potential trophyless season after exiting the Carling Knockout and changes in the playing personnel can be expected in the coming weeks, according to sources. Indications are that Jasond Gonzalez could be among players high on the list of possible departures with changes likely to continue at Naturena following Molefi Ntseki's exit. Cavin Johnson has since stepped in as head coach amid on an interim basis. Gonzalez came to the side highly recommended after his impressive goalscoring numbers in the Bolivian Primera Division, where he played for Real Santa Cruz. However, the player's adjustment to the DStv Premiership has taken longer than expected as he seemed to struggle with form in some matches, with questions now being raised about his future with the club. The Siya crew takes a look at what the future holds for the highly-rated frontman going into the halfway mark of the season.
What the Siya crew has been told…
Kaizer Chiefs are said to be running out of patience with Jasond Gonzalez and indications are that his future at the club may be under threat, the Siya crew has been informed. The big marksman has appeared to struggle to adjust to life in the DStv Premiership after being signed from Bolivian top-flight club Real Santa Cruz in August amid much fanfare. After featuring in six matches in all competitions for the Soweto giants and still without a single goal or assist, questions have been raised about the Colombian's contribution, with his one-year loan deal set to be reviewed, according to close sources.
The towering 24-year-old signed a season-long loan deal with an option for the club to buy him outright, according to information known to Soccer Laduma. Gonzalez scored eight goals in 16 starts in the Bolivian Primera Division prior to his arrival in Mzansi.
"It might still be early days for Gonzalez at Chiefs and in South Africa, but the player is facing uncertain future with the club. You must remember that when Chiefs go for strikers, they want specific players with special qualities who can do the job and score goals for the team. So far, the boy has looked like he has struggled to adjust and that's why his future become in doubt suddenly," said a source.
"He comes from Colombia and that on its own comes with a lot of pressure. The expectation is that he should always perform better than local players. Do you remember what happened with (Bonfils-Caleb) Bimenyimana? He finished last season as the club's top goal scorer, but there was no place for him in the team for this season and Gonzalez was signed to fill the space he previously occupied in the club's foreign quota. The expectations are high for a club as big as Chiefs and a player has to hit the ground running," the source added.
With the club having already been unsuccessful in some of their plans for an improved season, more changes can be expected from as early as January, according to sources. Already, and in an unexpected move, the Soweto giants replaced Molefi Ntseki, who had been tasked with turning the team's fortunes when he took over from Arthur Zwane prior to the start of the season. Cavin Johnson is now the man carrying the club's hopes to improve the results in the league after the club missed out on both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout competitions respectively.
Following the departures of some of the stars at the end of last season, including veteran defender Erick Mathoho and Khama Billiat at the end of their respective contracts, as well as the recent termination of Kamohelo Mahlatsi's deal, sources have hinted at more squad changes in the pipeline.
"Chiefs are concerned about how things have been going and there is pressure from the supporters for results on the field to improve. From the management's point of view, the club has done everything to sign players, but some of their performances have been disappointing, unfortunately," the mole said.
"As the new coach in charge, Cavin Johnson will give Gonzalez and all the players a chance to prove themselves, but unfortunately, there isn't too much time for people to adjust. The situation is calling for immediate action and results," noted the source.
According to a close source, few other players who are in the first year of their spells at the club could be affected.
"Gonzalez isn't the only one who could be affected, and he is only on loan, although there is an option to make the deal permanent from when he was recommended to the club. It is highly unlikely that the option will be exercised if things continue like this for him. Ranga (Chivaviro) is another one whose progress will be closely monitored in the coming weeks and he will need to impress Johnson as soon as possible," the source said.
What Are The Facts?
The Glamour Boys have won only three from 10 matches in the league, drawing two and losing five, with the team now positioned 10th on the log, much to the chagrin of their fans. The side has have scored just nine goals and conceded eight and none of those strikes have been scored by either Gonzalez or Chivaviro.
Pule Mmodi is the team's leading goal scorer so far this season with three league goals, with Venezuelan midfielder Edson Castillo in second place with two goals, while there has been a goal each for Ashley Du Preez, Christian Saile, Edmilson Dove and Sifiso Hlanti. In the MTN8 where the Soweto giants were knocked in the semi-finals, Castillo netted a further two goals, as well as one each for Du Preez and Yusuf Maart.
When he was unveiled at the Chiefs Village in Naturena on August 23, the club's Executive Chairman, Dr. Kaizer Motaung, had expected that the 'soldier' (Gonzalez) would hit the ground running.
"We wish to welcome Jasond Gonzalez to South Africa and also to wish him everything of the best. We know that he's a 'soldier' because he hits the ground running. As he comes now, he has no time to waste; he has to be ready to use his weapons straight away," said Motaung at the time, and in part, as quoted on the club's official website.
Before his sudden departure from Chiefs, Ntseki had appealed for Gonzalez to be given enough time to settle in Mzansi and to get to understand the league and the opponents.
The Story Behind The Scenes
Gonzalez' Chiefs future depends on Johnson?
While the focus will be on getting results to improve the team's position on the log after being appointed as interim coach, Johnson will have several players hoping to impress him to secure long-term future with the club, with Gonzalez no exception. The club's decision on the players to keep can only be determined through getting game-time, delivering inspiring performances on the field and overall contribution to the team.
In Johnson's first match in charge – the 2-1 loss against Golden Arrows away from home – Gonzalez came on for the last five minutes for Maart. He showed signs of a rejuvenated player and came close to netting his first goal for the club as Amakhosi unsuccessfully pushed for an equalising goal in the dying minutes. The bulky forward will hope to have done enough to impress the former Platinum Stars coach for a start in the coming match on Wednesday against Cape Town Spurs.
Striker Recruitment Policy Needs To Be Revisited?
In recent years, Chiefs have been unsuccessful with some of the players brought with high expectations to contribute to the team, with the striking department one of the areas that have been affected the most. Some of the strikers to have joined the club in recent seasons but were unsuccessful include Bongani Ndulula, Edward Manqele, Siphelele Mthembu, David Zulu, Michelle Katsvairo, Lewis Macha, Lazarus Kambole, Camaldine Abraw, Gustavo Paez and Ryan Moon.
Such a long list of promising layers who turned out to be average in the famous Gold and Black colours may suggest that Chiefs need to re-visit their recruitment policy to improve the situation, taking into consideration the slow start for Gonzalez and Chivaviro this season. For a club that had to strikers like Shane Macgregor, Fani Madida, Pollen Ndlanya, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Collins Mbesuma, among others, wowing crowds with their ability to find the back of the net, the current situations begs serious questions. It remains to be seen what the club's plan will be going forward.
Amakhosi To Explore Other Options To Reinforce?
With some players already being linked with an exit, Chiefs may need to start looking for options to reinforce the squad for the second round of the 2023/24 season, or the new campaign. The club are known to be admirers of Stellenbosch FC striker, Iqraam Rayners, as previously reported by this publication, and may need to revisit their interest in the hard-running striker.
The Glamour Boys enjoy a good working relationship with Stellies, with their latest recruit from the Winelands outfit being Sibongiseni Mthethwa, signed in September. The two clubs have previously done deals for other top players like Du Preez and Zitha Kwinika, among others.
With yet another transfer window around the corner, don't be surprised if Chiefs go for Rayners' signature if he manages to maintain the goalscoring standards he set last season.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"One important thing that needs to be taken into consideration when discussing these issues is that realistically, it is still early in the season and therefore criticism against any player for his performance at this stage maybe a little bit harsh. As a player's agent, I would feel that my client is being harshly evaluated if such assessment is done in the first round of the season. But another important point to consider is that this is Kaizer Chiefs we are talking about here and it is one of the big clubs that are always expected to do well to win trophies. Based on the team's results so far this season and failure to win trophies in recent seasons, one might say the supporters' frustrations are understandable for expecting better results and therefore coaches and players may be targeted to point fingers. Furthermore, Gonzalez is a South American and a lot is expected from him. The expectations have been high from day one for him to deliver based on what we were told about the goals he scored for his previous club. Having said that, I am one who prefers to give people enough time to adjust and we can then judge at the end of the season."
Watch This Space
The main concern for Chiefs has been unsatisfactory results and for some time it's been evident that the situation has been calling for all hands to be on deck to improve the situation. Management is concerned about the deteriorating situation and the pressure from the supporters continues to mount. The latest total ban of fans from attending Amakhosi's home fixture against Cape Town Spurs at FNB Stadium next Wednesday is a result of recent incidents of unacceptable behaviour by some of the supporters, who have been spotted throwing objects on the field to show their dissatisfaction.
While the actions of those few supporters cannot be condoned and are condemned in the strongest possible terms, what is clear is that results need to improve on the field for the club to return to glory days. For that to be achieved, all the players will need to bring their A-game and that includes Gonzalez. The club will hope for the big striker to start scoring the goals soon to help the team to compete in the title race. The matches leading up to the December break will be crucial for the lanky Colombian to determine his future at the Soweto giants.
