Kaizer Chiefs still have a few issues to address but they’ve made a promising start to the 2024-2025 Betway Premiership season.
Two major Kaizer Chiefs weaknesses and how to fix them
Not enough creative midfielders
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo is riddled with injuries and the club can’t continue to rely on his availability. Right now, the starting number 10 is Mduduzi Shabalala. Chiefs need another player who can pull the strings and create chances for the wide attackers and central striker. There’s been plenty of talk that Chiefs pursued Asanale Velebayi in the winter window and rumours suggest they’ll go back in for the Cape Town Spurs winger in January.
Signing Velebayi would kill two birds with one stone. He’d provide a genuine threat in wide areas, and he’d also give Chiefs the option of utilizing Gaston Sirino in a more central playmaking role, especially if/when Shabalala needs a rest or time out of the side.
A lack of reliable goal-scorers
Ranga Chivaviro has scored in back-to-back games, against Sundowns and AmaZulu, so right now he’s the holder of the jersey. However, if/when his scoring patch dries up, it isn’t easy to see where else the goals will come from. Expect talk around Fiston Mayele, Oswin Appollis and Tumisang Orebonye to intensify again in January.
Dortley is now a full international; Bafana Bafana hopefuls are also impressing
Rushwin Dortley is already the proud owner of two Bafana Bafana caps. That number will grow as Chiefs’ new central defensive signing from Cape Town Spurs has looked assured and classy at the highest level. Meanwhile, youngsters Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi have made goal-scoring starts to the season. Both were on target in their opening-day win over Marumo Gallants. Shabalala has started all four league games this season in the fabled number 10 role so 2024-2025 feels like the season that Mdu Shabalala becomes a key player for the club. Can he take that next step up for his country?
Fixture list
January might feel like a far way off, but because of scheduling quirks, Chiefs only have seven matches left of this calendar year. By the time 2025 rolls around, they’ll only have played 10 matches (33%) of the Betway Premiership season. The January window really could be pivotal, especially with the team’s increasingly impressive defensive base in place. Amakhosi are next in action against SuperSport oin October 26th.
Who’s on your transfer wish list in January, Amakhosi fans?
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