Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef has shared his thoughts on the arrival of new players, Asanele Velebayi, Etiosa Ighodaro, and Luke Baartman.
The trio were introduced to the Amakhosi fans at halftime during the team’s 1-0 Betway Premiership victory over Richards Bay FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
Amakhosi unveiled Ighodaro and Baartman a few hours before facing the Natal Rich Boys as they continue to bolster the team for the 2025/26 season.
The Nigerian international, Ighodaro, joined Chiefs as a free agent following his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns after spending the past few seasons on loan at teams such as AmaTuks, Chippa United, SuperSport United, and AmaZulu FC.
Meanwhile, Baartman and Velebayi have been snapped up by the Soweto giants from Cape Town Spurs on a free transfer following the club’s relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the ABC Motsepe League.
The two rising stars were given a green light to join the Glamour Boys after CT Spurs attempted to prevent the move through the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber. The Urban Warriors are arguing that the players still have contracts with them, and Chiefs have to pay to secure their services. However, the PSL DRC declared youngsters free agents, paving their big moves to Chiefs.
WHAT BEN YOUSSEF SAID ABOUT VELEBAYI, BAARTMAN, AND IGHODARO
After the official unveiling of the latest acquisitions, Khalil Ben Youssef has admitted that the team needs this type of quality in the squad as they are set to compete in many competitions, including th CAF Confederation Cup.
“I think we need these kinds of players to help us in the team, but let me say to them that they are coming to fight for their positions,” Ben Youssef said.
“The positions [in the starting line-up] at Kaizer Chiefs are going to be very tough to get. So the mentality for these players should be that they need to fight and help the team.
“And now we have our players performing very well, so they have to fight to get their positions in the team,” the coach added.
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