CHIEFS OFFLOAD SEVEN PLAYERS
Under-performing glamour side off loads players after poor season
KAIZER Chiefs off loaded seven players yesterday as part of an overhaul in response to another barren season. Chiefs’ disappointing 2016-17 campaign made it two successive seasons without a trophy for the country’s cup kings.
At the heart of that disappointment has been the club’s signing policy and this has come under scrutiny.
Chiefs boss Kaizer Motaung even admitted that Amakhosi erred in some of the signings they made.
It was not surprising then that two of those released yesterday were signed at the start of this season.
Lewis Macha and the club’s most-improved player‚ Michelle Katsvairo‚ were both off loaded.
Macha’s contract was terminated by mutual consent along with that of Siyanda Xulu‚ Lucky Baloyi and Camaldine Abraw.
Katsvairo will be sent out on loan before he is assessed again at the end of next season.
Enocent Mkhabela‚ who was on loan at Platinum Stars‚ has been given an opportunity to make his stay permanent with Dikwena.
Siphelele Mthembu’s contract has been terminated.
“These players have contracts with the club but they did not enjoy sufficient game-time during last season and we felt it would be in their best interests as well as ours for them to pursue their careers elsewhere‚” Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung said.
“We owe it to our supporters to ensure that the events of the past two seasons are not repeated in the 2017-18 campaign.”
This is the second successive season that Chiefs have made a major squad overhaul. Last season they released 20 players.
Meanwhile, former Kaizer Chiefs star penalty taker and centre back Patrick Mabedi has been appointed as Steve Komphela’s new assistant.
The former Malawian international who represented the club with distinction from 1998 to 2006‚ signed a two-year deal, where he has replaced John Paintsil.
The 43-year-old former centreback, who captained Kaizer Chiefs to their 2003-04 and 2004-05 league titles‚ their first league wins in the Premier Soccer League era‚ joins from national first division side Cape Town All Stars.
Mabedi said he was happy to return to the club where he cut his teeth as a rock solid defender and penalty specialist.