REVEALED: The players Kaizer Chiefs are eyeing as replacements after Gavin Hunt wields the axe

02 March 2021 - 10:28 By mahlatse mphahlele
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Bradley Grobler of Supersport United challenged by Siyabonga Ngezana of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership match at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on December 15 2020 in Pretoria.
Bradley Grobler of Supersport United challenged by Siyabonga Ngezana of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership match at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on December 15 2020 in Pretoria.
Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackPagePix/Gallo Images

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt is preparing to wield the axe in what is expected to be a ruthless cull at Naturena at the end of the season.

An insider with intimate knowledge of developments at Naturena told TimesLIVE Amakhosi have identified Sipho Mbule of SuperSport United‚ Phathutshedzo Nange of Stellenbosch‚ Sifiso Hlanti of Swallows and unattached goalkeeper Brandon Peterson‚ among others‚ as their main targets.

Chiefs have several other players on their radar and SuperSport United striker Bradley Grobler‚ Leletu Skelem of Stellenbosch‚ the Swallows duo of Kgaogelo Sekgota and the highly-rated defender Njabulo Ngcobo are also being pursued.

Ngcobo has impressed with solid performances in the heart of the Swallows defence this season, and Hunt sees him as the perfect player to shore up a leaky defence that has conceded 20 league goals after 17 matches.

“I think we all know Hlanti and Nange are almost done deals and are set to join Chiefs next season. But they are working hard behind the scenes on other targets‚” said the insider.

“Nange‚ Hlanti‚ Sekgota and Grobler have worked with coach Gavin in the past and he knows them very well. Skelem and Ngcobo have been stand-out performers this season and Hunt rates them very highly. The challenge with Ngcobo is that Swallows will try to hold onto him but the player may be tempted by the opportunity of playing for a bigger team.”

Cape Town City midfielder Thabo Nodada is another player who has been heavily linked to Chiefs in the past few months, but the club could have difficulty prying him away from the Citizens without paying a steep fee as he recently renewed his contract until June 2024.

Chiefs spokesperson Vina Maphosa said a lot of work is being done behind the scenes and the club’s plans will be revealed at the end of the season.

“The chairman (Kaizer Motaung) prefers to outline plans when the season has ended. I can confirm there is work happening in the background and this is part of a normal process  because we always start preps for the next season in advance. What is in circulation is speculation‚” said Maphosa.

Chiefs have cast their net wide with their scouts eyeing players in the GladAfrica Championship.

Several players have caught their attention and include defenders Katlego Mohamme and Thabani Dube of Tuks and Richards Bay respectively‚ midfielders Vusumzi Mncube and Saziso Magawana of JDR Stars and Uthongathi‚ and TS Sporting striker Akani Chauke.

Chiefs will be able to recruit in July this year after they were banned by Fifa from signing players for two transfer windows for the illegal signing of the Madagascan midfielder Andriamirado “Dax” Andrianarimanana in 2018.

Amakhosi have struggled under Hunt this season as they are 10th on the log with 19 points from 17 matches. They are currently on an eight-match winless run in all competitions.


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