After the lifting of the Fifa player transfer ban imposed on Kaizer Chiefs, the Soweto giants went out to lure several players to Naturena ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. Their biggest coup was the signing of Keagan Dolly, who joined them from French club Montpellier, where he spent five seasons.
Apart from Dolly, the Glamour Boys managed to snatch other highly rated players such as Phathutshedzo Nange, Cole Alexander, Njabulo Ngcobo, Sifiso Hlanti, Brandon Peterson, Sibusiso Mabiliso, Austin Dube and Kgaogelo Sekgota.
FARPost runs the rule over the performances of Amakhosi’s recruits in the 2021/22 season.
Keegan Dolly
Few eyebrows were raised when the left-winger joined Chiefs on a free transfer from Montpellier. Understandably so, he had been inactive for a long time, thus gaining weight.
However, the player turned into gold, becoming a vital cog in the Amakhosi dressing room. Dolly played 28 games across all competitions, contributing four assists and scoring eight goals.
Dolly isn’t just Chiefs’ star player; he’s their talisman, creator and one of the few worth keeping should the club decide on a purge after another underwhelming season.
Phathutshedzo Nange
The central midfielder joined Chiefs from Stellenbosch FC and he became an instant hit. The former Black Leopards and Bidvest Wits man is a cracking package: combining positional awareness with reassuring style.
Overall, he has played 26 games in the current campaign and weighed in with two goals. The 30-year-old footballer has also shown terrific intelligence and exerts more significant influence in games.
Cole Alexander
The midfielder joined Amakhosi from an Indian club, Odisha, where he spent one season – reuniting with the departed coach Stuart Baxter, who was in charge of Odisha.
Alexander looked tailor-made for Baxter. When on song, the central midfielder warrior made the Glamour Boys midfield work, robust, mobile and fearless as his experience played a significant role. He is unquestionably one of the good man-markers in the top-flight, having played 21 games this season.
Njabulo Ngcobo
The 27-year-old centre-back struggled to get regular game time under Baxter, and anything good he may have done this season will be overshadowed by the Golden Arrows substitution episode. He gave away the ball that cost Amakhosi in that game and caused a stir when he refused to shake the hands of his coaches after being substituted.
Ngcobo has played 15 league games and got a goal against his former club Swallows in the 2-2 draw on Saturday. Perhaps next season, he could start showing why he was named Defender of the Season last term.
Brandon Petersen
Having joined Chiefs on a free transfer, Petersen was patient enough to wait for his chance to prove himself. He has played a total number of 11 games in all competitions. The goal-minder has brought a calming influence to Chiefs’ defence, and the excellent command of his 18-yard box has played a significant role.
He has become an excellent goalkeeper who now does the simple things well on top of wonderful saves with calmness.
After dishing out eye-catching performances, he received numerous national team call-ups to prove he’s on top of his game.
Kgaogelo Sekgota
The playmaker has played 18 games since joining the side from the Dube Birds, mostly coming in as a substitute. The 24-year-old has flourished, whether deep or playing an advanced role, dribbling and passing while working his way into Chiefs faithfuls’ hearts.
However, it hasn’t been the easiest period for him as he only played a total number of 389 minutes. But, given a chance to play more minutes he can prove that he’s a rare source of good cheer in a dysfunctional Chiefs attack.
Austin Dube
It’s surprising how the former Richards Bay defender struggled at the beginning of this season after his good run with his previous team in the GladAfrica Championship. So far, he has played 17 games in all competitions for Chiefs.
At an age where he should be growing in influence as a defender, the 29-year-old has instead become a victim of his willingness to do his job. However, he remains one of the trusted lieutenant and key for Chiefs’ backline.
Sifiso Hlanti and Sibusiso Mabiliso
Hlanti and Mabiliso have failed to play over 10 games since they arrived at the club.
Hlanti has only played eight games this term, and when he was starting to settle in well, injury woes ruined his season, and he spent most of the campaign on the sidelines. However, he will be hoping to come back stronger next season.
Meanwhile, Mabiliso who just managed to make six appearances for Chiefs this season has struggled to fit into the Amakhosi set-up ever joining the club from AmaZulu. His slow start at Naturena led to his progress stagnating. What is left for him now is to pull up his socks and make up for the lost time when the new season commences.
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