Mamelodi Sundowns scout Thembela ‘Tera’ Maliwa has revealed that sound scouting is the foundation of any team seeking to revive its fortunes like Kaizer Chiefs.
Amakhosi have endured a seven-year trophy drought and decided to hit the restart button in the 2022/23 season, appointing club legend Arthur Zwane as head coach.
Zwane and his assistant coach Dillon Sheppard were tasked with ending Amakhosi’s long struggle.
However, they haven’t got their tenure off to a good start as Chiefs are 14th on the DStv Premiership log standings after seven games with two wins, two draws and three defeats.
Zwane’s men, however, did make it through to the semi-finals of the MTN8, where they will face AmaZulu next month.
IS IT A LACK OF QUALITY?
In previous seasons, the blame was pinned on the lack of quality players at the club.
And ahead of the new campaign, they parted ways with 12 players, including Bernard Parker, bringing in nine new signings.
They include Zitha Kwinika, Yusuf Maart, Siyethemba Sithebe, Ashley Du Preez, Dillan Solomons, George Matlou and Kamohelo Mahlatsi.
Edmilson Dove and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana were also added to the Kaizer Chiefs squad.
Nonetheless, the club’s recent form is yet to justify the transfer business, raising questions about the club’s recruitment strategy.
Maliwa, credited for unearthing young Coetzee at Ajax, has emphasised the need to invest in youth development.
“Youth scouting is extremely important, with proper planning and talent identification programs,” Maliwa told FARPost.
He further pointed at the Ajax model as one of the country’s best in recent times.
“Scouting is important because clubs are constantly looking to improve their squads. Proper scouting allows clubs to recruit the best players for their needs.
“The example of Scouting Department that worked well was Ajax Cape Town a few years ago,” said Maliwa, who once headed Ajax’s scouting department, which produced players like Thulani Serero, Rivaldo Coetzee and Keegan Dolly.
The Sundowns man believes Stellenbosch are taking steps in the right direction.
“Currently, Stellenbosch has taken over in the absence of Ajax.”
His current club, Sundowns’ scouting department, has also done superbly in recent years.
This season they have acquired the services of Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams and Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende who scored on his debut against Stellenbosch.
The Brazilians also reunited with Bongani Zungu and brought in Sipho Mbule and Ethiopian international Abubeker Nassir, who currently has three goals in four appearances in the DStv Premiership.
Their transfer business has further widened the gap between them and Naturena-based giants.
