Chiefs' Patience On Mdantsane Running Out?
When Kaizer Chiefs announced their new recruits in July 2023, the name Mduduzi Mdantsane stood out like a sore thumb. For a midfielder, he had been influential for Cape Town City, especially in the goalscoring stakes, where he notched up 21 goals from 109 appearances in all competitions, and also contributed seven assists. When he joined the Citizens at the end of 2019, he had already been a target of the Glamour Boys, and the delight etched on the faces of the club's supporters came as no surprise when the deal finally happened. Never mind that he is the side's development product. A R3 million+figure was reported to have been the transfer fee that secured the player from the Mother City outfit. The prodigy was back, and a lot was expected. However, after what seemed a decent enough start to the season, the 29-year-old has had a tough time of it at Naturena, with serious questions marks now raised about the transfer. Mdantsane has a big second half of the season to impress not just the faithful but also head coach Cavin Johnson and the hierarchy. With this in mind, the Siya crew takes a look at what the future might have in store for the Soweto giants and the ex-Baroka FC talisman.
What the Siya crew has been told…
The next few months, if not weeks, could be crucial in Mduduzi Mdantsane proving his worth at Kaizer Chiefs and avoid the risk of having his stay with the club cut short, sources have revealed. So far, he hasn't had the best of starts in his first season with the side, having joined from Cape Town City last year, and indications from close sources are that there have been concerns from both the midfielder and the club about the slow progress. With Amakhosi having decided not to sign any players in January, the general sentiment is that they wanted to give all the players a chance to impress interim coach Cavin Johnson with decisions on the squad for next season to be made. Therefore, for the Leandra-born man and others in a similar situation, it will be more like proving themselves what with a long-term contract in place.
"He is a quality and senior player whose signing was met with high expectations. He did well at his previous clubs, and you can't blame anyone who expected him to hit the ground running at Chiefs," noted one source.
"So far, things haven't happened the way he and the club expected. He hasn't played as much as it would have been expected of him and when he did, he wasn't able to replicate the performances that made him to get Bafana Bafana call-ups when he was at Cape Town City. There could be a lot of factors – maybe the system that is used by the club, and things like that," the source added.
During the Africa Cup of Nations break, the Glamour Boys have been hard at work as Johnson worked on improving the team for the league's resumption, with Mdantsane obviously part of the preparations. Having missed the bulk of matches since the former Al Ahly assistant coach took over in October last year, the 29-yearold is said to be working hard to impress the mentor so as to get a chance in the starting line-up.
"For Mdantsane, I think what he needs to do is to go back to the basics and do the things he did which made him a top performer at Baroka and a captain of the team. Yes, there is so much pressure at Chiefs as it is another level with different expectations, but he should do the things that made him lead Baroka to cup success (2018 Telkom Knockout triumph), and the things he did at Cape Town City that made him succeed," explained the mole.
"Yes, he was seen as a marquee signing who didn't come cheap from Cape Town City and it is understandable that there will be pressure for him to deliver. Also, being the club's development product adds to the pressure, but he is someone whose level of confidence is high and is always motivated. That's why he has always been good for the dressing room at the clubs he has been at."
Of the eight appearances that the midfield ace has made for Amakhosi in the league, seven were under the club's previous coach, Molefi Ntseki. Local media reports in November suggested that the Leandra-born player was suspended by the club for contravening club rules by drinking at the function to induct chairman Dr Kaizer Motaung into the South African Hall of Fame, which might have stalled his progress somewhat. The incident, though, cannot be downplayed as a contributing factor to Mdantsane's lack of game-time, and if Johnson continues as head coach beyond this season, it might spell trouble for the player, especially if his situation does not change in the second round of the campaign.
"He is training and working hard like everybody else and will be waiting for his chance. The coach has said all the players will get a chance," concluded the source.
What are the facts?
Mdantsane has started just three games from his eight appearances in the league so far this season and only one of those were under the current mentor at Naturena. The last time he featured was in November 2023 against Cape Town Spurs and he was a notable absentee from the matchday squads in five consecutive matches leading up to the Afcon break.
In the MTN8, he featured in all three encounter with two starts and one substitute appearance as Amakhosi lost in the two-legged semi-final to Mamelodi Sundowns. The last time the former Baroka man played less than 20 matches was in his first season with City, where he made 11 appearances between January and May 2020 and therefore he will know that he has a lot of catching up to do to improve his numbers for the current campaign. Worth noting, he signed in January for the Cape outfit, whereas he started the season with the Glamour Boys.
In the last three seasons, Mdantsane missed just seven games in the league out of the 90 for the Mother City side and was one for the best playmakers in the league prior to reporting for his first training session at the Village. In offering the player a three-year deal, the Soweto giants had high hopes after he was allowed to go and gain experience as a youngster.
In welcoming him back to the club, the club stated on their official website, "In the middle of the park, Amakhosi signed Mduduzi Mdantsane from Cape Town City. Mdantsane is a product of the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy and was released as a youngster to gain experience elsewhere. He attracted interest after impressing in the Mother City. He returns to Amakhosi as a 28-year-old man. His contract will expire in June 2026 and will wear jersey #3."
The story behind the scenes
New coach to make decisions on players?
While the Glamour Boys have remained in full support of Johnson in his bid to improve results and challenge for the Nedbank Cup, the club is understood to be still in search of a new coach to replace Molefi Ntseki in the permanent head coach role. Sources have indicated that it was one of the reasons the Soweto giants didn't sign any players in the January transfer in order for the man to do that himself if he comes. That, aside from the fact the January window is such a tricky market both locally and abroad. Pitso Mosimane and Manqoba Mngqithi have both been heavily linked with Amakhosi along with Nasreddine Nabi and a few other tacticians, and Chiefs are thought to be waiting for that department first to be sorted, and then the decisions on player comings and goings to follow. For the time being, all the players will get a chance to first pass the test under Johnson to put themselves in a favourable position for the future.
Possible replacement for Castillo?
On his arrival in Naturena, Mdantsane was unveiled alongside Edson Castillo, among other players. With the Venezuelan having hit the ground running and already being linked with a move, the former Cape Town City star could be the man to replace him in adding the options for Amakhosi in their attack, depending on the club's decision. Following his impressive performances that saw him finishing the first half of the season as one of the standout performers, Castillo has since attracted interest from Egyptian giants Zamalek, according to sources. The 29-year-old has scored five goals in all competitions and has been lauded for his creative play in Chiefs' engine room.
"The news about the interest from Zamalek came in late towards the end of the transfer window period in January. But I don't think even if it came early that Chiefs would have agreed to a deal. He is one of their best players this season and I don't think they can just let go of such a player. But again, in football everything depends on the financial involvement between the concerned parties. And mind you, so far it is just an inquiry and interest which could go either way – agree or deny. But Zamalek are coming in hard and strong on this one, that I can tell you," one source told the Siya crew in January.
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.
"The thing with Chiefs is that the club has been unfortunate with results in recent seasons and that has resulted in added pressure on everyone in the team. It is unusual for a big club like that to go on for so long without winning anything and you can imagine the frustration on everyone involved. Players go there with the aim of changing the situation and the player you mention (Mdantsane) is no different. Be that as it may, I feel that it is still early for people to judge someone who is in his first season with the team. Let's wait and see how the second half of the season will go."
Watch This Space
With the country's most-supported outfit making every attempt to win their first trophy in almost a decade, there will always be pressure for everyone at the club due to the expectations from the supporters. At any top club in the world, when quality players are signed, the expectation is that they will hit the ground running and help the club achieve results on the field. While coaches have become casualties in some instances as seen in recent seasons, players need to also play their part to take this giant of South African football back to where it belongs, and when the going gets tough, fingers will naturally be pointed towards players like Mdantsane who have yet to replicate their previous performances. Some may argue that the creative midfielder has been adjusting to new surroundings in his first few months and that a rejuvenated player will emerge in the second round of the season, but the sooner that happens, the better. For his future in the famous Gold and Black jersey, more than anything else. Patience is a rare commodity in the south of Johannesburg in any case, as many before him – be it players or coaches – have found out.
