It goes without saying Kaizer Chiefs need a huge overhaul at the end of the season if they are to be competitive in search of their first trophy in almost 10 years.
For far too many years now, Amakhosi have largely signed average players who have failed to lift the club out of the malaise that has reduced them to near irrelevance in the race for the championship.
To put their situation in perspective, Chiefs, who will get to a staggering ninth season without a trophy in 2023-24, have only finished in the top two in the DStv Premiership once since they last won the league in the 2014-15 season.
In that period, Mamelodi Sundowns have lifted the championship trophy seven times, with Bidvest Wits emerging victorious once, and the Brazilians are odds-on favourites to be crowned champions for the seventh successive season in 2023-24.
Some quality players Chiefs did manage to procure in recent years include Khama Billiat, Samir Nurković, Leonardo Castro, Keagan Dolly and Edson Castillo, but many of those were near to or already past their best and disintegrated into mediocrity at Naturena.
We look at some players who can help Amakhosi bring back the glory days.
Stanley Nwabali, 27 (Goalkeeper, Chippa United)
After his heroics at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in the Ivory Coast, where he helped Nigeria to the final, he would be an excellent option to compete with Bruce Bvuma, Brandon Petersen and Itumeleng Khune.
But Chiefs would face stiff competition in the transfer market as it is believed Nwabali has attracted attention from clubs in Europe and the Gulf region.
Kegan Johannes, 22 (Defender, SuperSport United)
In defence, Chiefs have enough stocks with the likes of Sphiwe Msimango, Zitha Kwinika, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Njabulo Ngcobo, Happy Mashiane, Reeve Frosler and Luke Fleurs, who can improve in the right environment and with better coaching.
But Johannes, who has been one of the consistent defenders in DStv Premiership and Caf Confederation Cup, would be a welcome addition to boost competition and genuine quality.
Goodman Mosele, 24 (Midfielder, Chippa United — on loan from Orlando Pirates)
Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Edson Castillo and Siyethemba Sithebe have been largely inconsistent in the heart of the Amakhosi midfield and young Samkelo Zwane has not been given enough opportunities to truly establish himself.
Mosele, who is back with Bafana Bafana in their present camp in Algeria after impressive performances on loan at Chippa, could be a welcome addition if he does not return to Orlando Pirates.
Grant Margeman, 25 (Midfielder, SuperSport United)
He has been one of the ever-present players for coach Gavin Hunt, having featured in all their 20 league matches, and he has also been key in the Confederation Cup with four outings under his belt.
Amakhosi have not seen dynamic box-to-box midfielders in the mould of Tinashe Nengomasha, Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane and Willard Katsande, and Margeman has the potential to play that role.
Vincent Pule, 31 (Midfielder, Orlando Pirates)
He endured a frustrating spell last season at the Buccaneers after the arrival of coach Jose Riveiro, featuring in only 14 league outings. The former Bidvest Wits winger's situation hasn’t improved this campaign with only eight appearances out of 20.
It will be a long shot getting him to Naturena, but he may be a good addition considering he will be looking to prove his worth and possibly return to Bafana. Pule could add much-needed experience and scoring ability to Chiefs' front line.
Oswin Appollis, 22 (Midfielder, Polokwane City)
It is actually unbelievable that some of the so-called big teams with good budgets failed to snatch the exceptionally talented Oswin Appollis from Pretoria Callies before he joined Polokwane City.
A winger with bags of tricks, his arrival at Naturena could offer Chiefs options and provide much-needed competition to Ashley du Preez, Keagan Dolly, Pule Mmodi and Tebogo Potsane in attack.
Elias Mokwana, 24 (Midfielder, Sekhukhune United)
He is largely unproven at this level but his eye-catching performances for Sekhukhune United this season have shown he is a player of immense potential who may thrive at Amakhosi.
He also has an odd goal in him and because of his consistent performances, he has caught the eye of Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who has given him the opportunity with the national team. Mokwana scored in both the 1-1 draw against Andorra and 3-3 draw against Algeria in the friendlies in North Africa.
Khanyisa Mayo, 25 (Striker, Cape Town City)
Last year, Cape Town City boss John Comitis put a staggering price of more than R30m on Mayo, who was also back with the Bafana squad in Algeria, and this may be the stumbling block of him relocating to Naturena.
With strikers Christian Saile and Ranga Chivaviro firing blanks and Colombian import Efmamjjasond González looking out of sorts in his limited opportunities, Mayo, among the Premiership's top scorers in the past two-and-a-half, could be a welcome addition.
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