Kaizer Chiefs have allowed almost 10 players to leave Naturena as part of a major squad rebuild ahead of the new season, with the club having already confirmed five new signings.
The Soweto club’s reshaping of the squad has continued since the opening of the transfer window, with head coach Fernando Da Cruz making a series of important decisions about the playing personnel available to him.
Those changes have come as Chiefs have made a positive start to their preparations. Amakhosi impressed during pre-season before carrying that form into their opening Betway Premiership match, where they secured an emphatic 3-1 victory over Kruger United.
Chiefs produced an attacking performance in that game and were deserved winners, suggesting that the early stages of the squad overhaul are beginning to deliver encouraging results.
Among those to depart are midfielder George Matlou and defender Happy Mashiane, whose contracts expired at the end of their respective agreements.
Striker Tashreeq Morris has also left after the club chose not to renew his contract. The forward found it difficult to make a lasting impression during his time at Naturena and was unable to establish himself as a consistent source of goals.
Experienced attacker Gaston Sirino has departed after spending two seasons with Chiefs. Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari has meanwhile been sent out on loan following the arrival of Renaldo Leaner, which has changed the club’s options in that position.
Defender Given Msimango was the latest player to leave the club, with his departure confirmed over the weekend. Ashley du Preez is also expected to complete his exit in the coming days.
The club had already sold young defender Aden McCarthy to Azerbaijani side Turan Tovuz earlier in the transfer window. There is also continued uncertainty regarding the future of Congolese winger Glody Lilepo, who remains linked with a move away from Naturena.
Chiefs added another player to their new-look squad on Monday when they completed the signing of highly rated winger Langelihle Philion. The former Stellenbosch FC player takes the club’s number of new arrivals to five.
Philion could make his competitive debut for Amakhosi when they play Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-final this weekend.
The departures and new arrivals represent a significant change to the squad as Da Cruz prepares Chiefs for the new campaign. While several established players have moved on, the club’s early performances have provided some evidence that the restructured team can compete effectively.
WIN R5 000: Take The South African’s Winter Reader Survey