Amakhosi unveil new signings
Soweto club determined to revitalise player strength
KAIZER Chiefs made their intentions crystal clear ahead of the coming Premier Soccer League (PSL) season when the club announced the signing of eight new players yesterday. Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ Zimbabweans Edmore Chirambadare and Michelle Katsvairo‚ midfielders Enocent Mkhabela and Sibusiso Khumalo‚ Zambian striker Lewis Macha‚ Keagan Buchanan from Bloemfontein Celtic and young striker Emmanuel Letlotlo were all unveiled at a packed press conference.
Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung said the club was not yet done in the transfer market and more players would be announced in the coming days.
“These are not our final signings this season and we will add two or three more signings in the coming days‚” Motaung said.
“Coach Steve [Komphela] gave us input as to what he needed and we supported him.”
Chiefs also announced a new technical team for the coming season and Ghanaian John Paintsil‚ who worked with Komphela when they were together at Maritzburg United‚ was appointed assistant coach.
Last season’s assistant coach‚ Doctor Khumalo‚ has been moved to a stillto-be-identified new role and Motaung was at pains to explain that the decision should not be viewed in a negative light.
Brazilian Alexandre Revoredo was announced as goalkeeper coach and his countryman Marco Aurelio Munhoz is now the new physical trainer.
Motaung said he hoped the club would write an exciting new chapter in its soccer history after the disappointment of finishing last season with a bare trophy cabinet.
Chiefs surrendered their league title without putting up much of a fight last season and they watched as Sundowns won domestic football’s holy grail by a record 71 points.
Stung by a distant fifth-place finish and the meek manner in which they surrendered their title to Sundowns‚ Chiefs sprang into action early this month and released 20 players in a massive clear-out that signalled their intent.
If the off-season transfer activity is anything to go by‚ the coming season will be a spectacular one for fans.
The deal announced by both Ajax Cape Town and Orlando Pirates that sees SA U23 international Abbubaker Mobara move to the Buccaneers is not yet done‚ according to the player’s agent‚ and it is champions Mamelodi Sundowns who might yet get the player.
Lance Davids‚ the former Bafana Bafana international now acting as Mobara’s manager, said: “Bara had no knowledge of the deal before he read about it on the internet and he has signed no contract.
“Ajax only told him about it the day after it appeared in the media.
“You cannot have a transfer without a player contract.
“We have not had any contact with Pirates about the player’s contract. No one has called us.”
In the meantime‚ Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has had a discussion with Mobara and club general manager Sizwe Nzimande, reportedly about a possible move with Ajax Cape Town owner Ari Efstathiou.
It sets up the possibility of an ego-bruising battle between the two Gauteng giants for the services of Mobara‚ whose abilities as a utility player make him an attractive proposition.
His favourite position is right-back, but Ajax used him also as a central defender since Roger de Sa arrived at the club.
Before that, previous coach Muhsin Ertugral – now in charge at Pirates – preferred him as a marauding central midfielder.
“There should be more clarity in the next days. My aim is to ensure I get the best possible deal for the player and that he is happy‚” Davids said. – TMG Digital