Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has opened up on transfer plans ahead of January, conceding that a lack of experience in key positions must be addressed in the upcoming window.
The Soweto giants were busy in the market in the last transfer period, signing the likes of Tanzanian midfielder Adolf Bitegeko, Thabo Moloisane, Langelihle Phili, Faiz Abrahams and goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner. Striker Khanyisa Mayo was signed permanently after last season’s loan spell from Algerian side R Belouizdad.
To further add to their squad, Chiefs completed winger and long-time transfer target Elias Mokwana’s deal on a free transfer this week. While some new players were welcomed at Naturena, Amakhosi also offloaded Thabo Cele, who found a new home at Mamelodi Sundowns in a decision that saw Chiefs being criticised in some quarters.
Goalkeepers Fiacre Ntwari and Bontle Molefe were loaned out together with Samkelo Zwane.
After the transfer window, Amakhosi have struggled to build on last season, when they finished third in the Betway Premiership. They have already missed out on the MTN8 and CAF Confederation Cup, triggering calls for adjustments to their squad in January.
DO CHIEFS NEED TO SIGN NEW PLAYERS IN JANUARY? DA CRUZ RESPONDS
While not mentioning the exact areas they need to fix by reinforcing with new players, Da Cruz has admitted that they have been found wanting in some departments. That will push them to go into the market to beef up their squad.
“We have time; we still have two months of competition before January. We don’t recruit just to recruit players. If we recruit players, it is to add value to the squad. So it’s very important,” Da Cruz told the media through French-to-English translation from Julien Le Heran, who is also the Amakhosi head of sports science.
“We know that in some positions we lack experience, and we need experienced players to help our talented players to grow and develop themselves and to support them everyday in training and during games.”
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