Since receiving a formal invitation in July to participate in the 2015 CAF Champions League, Kaizer Chiefs are yet to decide on whether to participate in Africa’s premier club competition.
“The statement that we have issued on July 23 has not changed as the deadline to confirm or not to confirm (our participation) is at the end of September,” Chiefs’ Corporate Communications Manager, Vina Maphosa told Times LIVE today.
“The Club has received a formal invitation to participate in the 2015 CAF Champions League and is considering the invite at this stage,” said Maphosa.
On July 23, Chiefs’ Marketing Director, Jessica Motaung told reporters that: We will make the announcement in this regard as soon as we have made the final decision.”
Amakhosi, by virtue of finishing runners-up in the Absa Premiership, qualified for Africa’s premier club competition for a second year running, but rumours have been doing the rounds that they will not take up the challenge.
Should Chiefs decide not to play, it remains to be seen whether another PSL team gets the nod, or whether the spot will be forfeited.
The depth of the Chiefs’ squad, more than the taxing financial implications of playing in this tournament, could inform AmaKhosi’s decision to decline the invitation.
AmaKhosi have been criticised for not being too aggressive in their transfer dealings. They brought in only two high-profile players in striker Siphelele Mthembu from Platinum Stars and left-back Levy Mokgothu from Moroka Swallows while promoting youngsters Hendrick Ekstein, Chris Matombo and Zitha Macheke from their development ranks.
The club has since announced the signings of the duo of Phakamani Mngadi and Ovidy Karuru but it remains to be seen if they'll form part of the team for the upcoming campaign as their names do not yet reflect on the team's official website.
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