Kaizer Chiefs’ highly rated forward Wandile Duba and speedster Ashley du Preez could be at the centre of a significant squad shake-up this winter as the Soweto giants weigh up player sales to strengthen other departments and ease financial pressures.
Club insiders and local reporting suggest Amakhosi are open to listening to offers for some of their most marketable young stars, with the prospect of “player-plus-cash” deals firmly on the table.
Duba’s future in spotlight as interest expected
At 22, Wandile Duba is regarded by many around the club as arguably the most natural finisher currently on Kaizer Chiefs’ books.
The versatile attacker, capable of leading the line as a traditional number nine or operating from wide in a front three, registered three goals and two assists in 18 league appearances last season.
That return is modest by elite striking standards, but Duba’s reputation has been built on the timing and quality of his contributions rather than sheer volume. He has developed a knack for scoring spectacular goals in high‐stakes encounters, a trait that has endeared him to sections of the Amakhosi support.
Such flashes of quality could yet draw attention from rival South African sides or even clubs abroad. The key question facing the Chiefs hierarchy is whether a substantial offer, should one arrive, would be enough to persuade them to cash in on a player many fans see as central to the club’s long-term plans.
Every player, though, is understood to have a price as the club attempts to balance ambition with financial reality.
Phili pursuit could trigger du Preez departure
One of Kaizer Chiefs’ main attacking targets in this window is Stellenbosch FC winger Langelihle Phili, with multiple local reports placing the 21‐year‐old near the top of the club’s transfer wishlist.
Phili, a diminutive but explosive wide forward, scored seven goals in 27 league matches last term, impressing with his pace, movement and end product. His form has marked him out as one of the most promising young attackers in the Betway Premiership.
To land Phili, the Glamour Boys are believed to be exploring a structured offer that would include both cash and at least one first‐team player heading in the opposite direction. Ashley du Preez, whose own blistering pace has been a hallmark of Chiefs’ attack, has been widely reported as the likely makeweight in such a deal.
Any move of that nature would not only reshape Amakhosi’s forward line but also signal a readiness to trade established names in pursuit of a more balanced and youthful squad profile.
Lilepo also linked with possible exit
Congolese winger Glody Lilepo is another player whose future appears uncertain.
The wide attacker contributed five goals and four assists in 27 league outings last season, largely from a flank position, giving Chiefs direct running and penetration on the break. His productivity and international pedigree could make him an attractive option for clubs seeking an immediate impact out wide.
Should Phili arrive and Duba remain, Lilepo’s sale is viewed in some quarters as a potential way to generate funds while maintaining depth in attacking areas.
Newly promoted Kruger United handed glamour opening-day fixture
Off the pitch, attention is already turning to the start of the 2026‐27 Betway Premiership season, with fixture planners handing top‐flight newcomers Kruger United a marquee home tie against Kaizer Chiefs on the opening day.
The clash, scheduled for Saturday 1 August, will see the Bushbuckridge-based side host one of South Africa’s biggest clubs in what is set to be a landmark occasion for the team and its supporters.
With the World Cup now in the past, clubs and fans alike are preparing to return to the week‐to‐week demands of domestic football. For Kruger United, a debut campaign that begins against Kaizer Chiefs offers both a daunting challenge and a lucrative showcase.
Amid all of this, Amakhosi’s transfer strategy in the coming weeks – and any decisions involving Duba, du Preez, Lilepo and the pursuit of Phili – will shape the squad that lines up for that curtain-raiser and define the mood around Naturena as a new season approaches.
