Newly appointed Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane was not bluffing when he repeatedly pointed out Amakhosi’s need to rejuvenate their current squad. Some senior players have officially left the club, while a few more are expected to exit in the coming days. Here are the first 10 casualties of the ruthless clear-out.
Samir Nurkovic
The big forward was the first big name to be confirmed after three years at the club. The club said it would not extend the Serbian marksman’s contract at the end of the month. ‘Kokota Piano’ has never been the same striker who notched 14 goals in his first season with injuries hampering his form.
Lazarous Kambole
The Zambian, who joined Amakhosi from Zesco United in 2019, has been released after struggling for game time in two seasons. He made 46 appearances for the Glamour Boys, only managing two goals.
Kearyn Baccus
After three seasons at the club, 53 appearances, and two goals, his time with Chiefs is over at the end of June.
Leonardo Castro
In the 122 times he played for the Soweto giants, Castro was not the clinical forward who ripped defences apart for Mamelodi Sundowns during Pitso Mosimane’s time at the Tshwane giants. The 33-year-old joined the club in 2018 and scored 27 goals over four seasons.
Anthony Akumu Agay
The Kenyan international has been transfer-listed, and the club will listen to offers. He featured for Amakhosi 47 times, scoring one goal.
Lebogang Manyama
The former SuperSport United and Cape Town City midfielder is out of contract at the end of the month after joining Amakhosi in August 2018 from Turkish side Konyaspor. He played 95 matches, scoring on 15 occasions.
Daniel Akpeyi
The Nigerian goalie has seen little action in the just-ended season, and when his contract ends at month-end, he will leave Naturena. He featured 69 times in 3.5 years for the club.
Daniel Cardoso
The 33-year-old defender Daniel Cardoso leaves Chiefs after playing 185 games in seven seasons. The defender scored 12 goals.
Dumsani Zulu
Kaizer Chiefs confirmed they have parted ways with the much-loved attacker due to his “numerous disciplinary issues”. Zuma had one year left on his contract with the Soweto giants, but after he was suspended for a second time last month, it became clear that his time with the club was all but up.
Bernard Parker
After 11 years at Naturena, winning four major trophies, including two league titles, his flirtation with Chiefs ended this week. “His professionalism, both on and off the field, is an object example to any aspiring young footballer,” the club said.
Meanwhile, the club’s goalkeeper coach Lee Baxter, who arrived at Chiefs in 2018, has also been released.
