Kaizer Chiefs have added five players to their squad, but none featured against Kruger and supporters are already questioning whether every arrival is ready to make an immediate impact under Da Cruz. The new recruits are expected to be introduced to the team over the coming weeks, although one signing in particular has attracted strong criticism following Sunday’s MTN8 outing.
Khanyisa Mayo has joined Chiefs on a permanent basis from CR Belouizdad, reportedly for a fee close to R9.8m. The move follows a previous loan spell at the club and makes Mayo one of the key additions to the Amakhosi squad.
Adolf Mtasingwa is another notable arrival. The 27-year-old defensive midfielder has moved from Azam FC for an undisclosed fee and is the first Tanzanian player to sign for Kaizer Chiefs.
Mtasingwa brings experience from several European leagues, having spent six seasons in Scandinavia. During that period, he played in Iceland, Norway and Finland before returning to Tanzania in 2024. He subsequently helped Azam FC finish third in the Tanzanian league last season and is also the vice-captain of the Tanzania national team.
However, his arrival has received a particularly hostile reaction from sections of the Chiefs support. Comments on Facebook questioned whether Mtasingwa possesses the quality expected at a club of Chiefs’ stature, even before he had played in the MTN8 on Sunday.
The response has become more negative since that appearance, with some supporters calling on the club’s scouts to ‘pack their belongings’ after the midfielder’s signing.
Chiefs have also strengthened their defence with the addition of Thabo Moloisane from Stellenbosch. The central defender established himself as a regular for an impressive Stellenbosch side and offers versatility because he can also play at right-back when required. His experience in the Premier Soccer League is expected to add depth to Da Cruz’s defensive options.
There is further competition in goal following the arrival of Renaldo Leaner from Sekhukhune. The 28-year-old goalkeeper is 1.87m tall and has been capped by Bafana. His signing gives Chiefs another option between the posts as the club assesses its goalkeeping department.
The fifth new face is Langelihle Phiri, a 21-year-old wide player known for his pace and direct approach. He is expected to officially join Chiefs from Stellenbosch, adding a different attacking profile to the squad and providing an option in the wide areas.
With none of the five signings involved against Kruger, the coming weeks will offer the first real indication of how quickly Da Cruz intends to integrate them. Mayo, Mtasingwa, Moloisane, Leaner and Phiri have all arrived with different levels of experience, but their value to the team will ultimately be judged by their performances rather than their reputations.
The reaction to Mtasingwa also highlights the pressure surrounding every new Chiefs signing. Supporters are demanding immediate improvement, while the coaching staff must decide how soon each player can be trusted in competitive matches.
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