Kaizer Chiefs are gearing up for a significant squad rebuild ahead of the upcoming season following a campaign that fell short of expectations.
While the club did lift the Nedbank Cup, their league performance was disappointing, as they finished outside the top eight for the second consecutive season. This meant Chiefs missed out on qualifying for the MTN8 again, marking a worrying trend under their second coach in a row.
Busy Offseason Ahead
To avoid repeating last season’s struggles, Chiefs are planning key changes to their squad — with a particular focus on strengthening their attack. However, their rebuild isn’t limited to the forward line.
Defensive Reinforcements in Sight
One of the pressing areas of concern is the left-back position. Currently, Chiefs have Bradley Cross and Happy Mashiane competing for the role, but recent departures have left gaps. Edmilson Dove was recently released, and Bongani Sam is expected to follow suit.
The club has already secured former Orlando Pirates defender Paseka Mako, but that’s not the end of their search. Reports indicate that Chiefs are progressing in talks with Aphiwe Baliti from SuperSport United to add further depth and quality to that position.
Pursuit of Baliti Gains Momentum
A reliable source told Soccer-Laduma that Chiefs’ recruitment and scouting teams have moved beyond initial interest in Baliti. After thorough evaluation to ensure he fits the club’s playing philosophy and style, they are now advancing their efforts to secure his signature.
“They were initially interested, then conducted their own analysis to assess if he fits Chiefs’ philosophy. They are convinced he does, and now they’re moving to the next stage in signing him,” the insider explained.
With a clear plan to rebuild both attack and defense, Chiefs are determined to come back stronger and avoid the disappointment of missing out on major competitions again.
