Bongani Sam has parted ways with Kaizer Chiefs, concluding a surprising tenure without making a single competitive appearance for the club. He becomes the sixth player to part company with the club in this transfer window.
The Soweto giants have cut ties with Edmilson Dove and Ranga Chivaviro, whose contracts expired. Amakhosi also terminated Mduduzi Mdantsane and Sabelo Radebe’s contracts ahead of the new season. They further released Njabulo Blom, who returned to his MLS parent club after his loan spell.
The 27-year-old, Sam, who joined the Glamour Boys prior to last season, will seek to revive his career elsewhere. Sam’s signing raised eyebrows from the outset, particularly given his limited playing time in the six months leading up to his arrival at Chiefs.
While his last club appearance was in December 2023, he saw action in March with Bafana Bafana’s CHAN squad. This was during their first-leg qualifier against Egypt.
Of all Chiefs’ new recruits last season, who include Miguel Inacio, Rushwin Dortley, Fiacre Ntwari, Bradley Cross, Thabo Cele, Glody Lillepo, Tashreeq Morris and Gaston Sirino, Sam was the only player not to feature in any match, a clear indication he wasn’t in the technical team’s plans.
Even when the team faced a left-back crisis towards the end of the season, Nabi opted to play centre-backs Bradley Cross and Aden McCarthy in that position, further highlighting Sam’s exclusion from plans. His previous stint at Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates also saw sporadic appearances, with only seven full games played, before loan spells at Maritzburg United and Moroka Swallows.
Despite a three-year deal with an option for a further year, meaning he still had at least two years remaining at Naturena, Sam has been released by the club. FARPost can confirm he’s not set foot at the Naturena Village as the team resumed pre-season last Friday.
MAKO & SHINGA ARRIVE AFTER SAM’S CHIEFS EXIT
With Paseka Mako and Nkanyiso Shinga’s arrivals, it is evident that the club is prepared to cut its losses. Mako and Shinga will fight it out for the left back position.
Meanwhile, Chiefs have also signed Ethan Chislett, who arrived in the country last week alongside Portuguese-Bissau striker Flavio Silva.
They have also brought in Thabiso Monyane from rivals Pirates. Etiosa Ighodaro and Siphesihle Ndlovu could be joining the club.
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