Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung has confirmed that Amakhosi have reached their objectives during the summer transfer window.
The Glamour Boys have brought in a number of key signings which include the likes of Khama Billiat and Lebogang Manyana in a bid to end their three-year trophy drought.
Although they are yet to claim a win in the Absa Premiership, Motaung believes his side have reached their objectives during the summer transfer window.
He also explained that the likes of Edmore Chirambadare, William Twala, Keagan Buchanan and Sibusiso Khumalo became surplus to requirements, while Brilliant Khuzwayo requested to leave the club.
‘We met our objectives during this transfer window period. We identified our needs based on the team’s performance last season. And not only did we focus on the performance of the side and the individual players, we also looked at building a team for the future,’ Motaung told his club’s official website.
‘We had to let go of a number of players… It is pointless at times to keep a player, who, despite his immense talent, can’t command a regular place in the side.
He added: ‘Edmore Chirambadare, William Twala, Keagan Buchanan and Sibusiso Khumalo couldn’t break into the team for a variety of reasons.
‘It was different with Brilliant Khuzwayo. We had to abide by his wish to move on. Brilliant served the club very well, but he requested to be released and we didn’t want to stand in his way.
‘Tsepo Masilela has done great for us over the years. Tsepo won several trophies with us, but his contract came to an end – it was a tough decision, but we had to weigh things up and decided not to renew his contract. It was not an easy decision.’
Motaung insisted that the club is investing in their youth structure and had confirmed that Yusuf Bunting and Emmanuel Letlotlo were loaned out to Baroka and Highlands Park to get more game time under their belts.
‘Yusuf Bunting and Emmanuel Letlotlo are future prospects. If you look at our present frontline, you can see stiff competition for places. That’s why we decided to loan them out, to get game time and, with it, gain experience at the highest professional level, the Absa Premiership.’
Following Siphiwe Tshabalala’s move to Turkish outfit BB Erzurumsport, Moutaung said: ‘Shabba is not only a Kaizer Chiefs legend, he is an esteemed national icon. Tshabalala served the club and the South African national team with dignity. He deserves an overseas move. We are happy for him and wish him well.’
Following the departure of numerous players, the Glamour Boys stunned many went they completed the signing of former Mamelodi Sundowns star Khama Billiat, but Motaung added that the club will not put any added pressure on the Zimbabwean international to deliver the goods.
‘We are glad to have succeeded to bring Khama to Naturena,’ Motaung said.
‘He’s a rare talent and for him to choose Chiefs over a possible move overseas is humbling. Khama and the other new signings join us at a time when we want to return to winning trophies.’
‘We will not put pressure on the team. We will allow the team to settle first, in the knowledge that coach Giovanni Solinas is also new.’
Another key signing for Chiefs was Lebogang Manyama. Motaung says he is delighted to finally have the man Amakhosi were after for quite a while.
‘Lebo is one player we always wanted to sign. He ticks the boxes and fits well in our set-up.’
The Glamour Boys also managed to rope in Virgil Vries, Godfrey Walusimbi, Mario Booysen and Letlhogonolo Mirwa, who completed their transfer spending.
‘Virgil was brought in to compete with Itumeleng Khune, while Mario will help our defensive unit. Godfrey is an experienced left back, while Mirwa is a youngster with the potential to grow into the fullback position.’
The Amakhosi football manager also confirmed that the signing of midfielder Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana will be concluded soon.
‘Dax is still a work-in-progress. The process of signing him is ongoing and should be resolved soon. We are optimistic that we will conclude the matter.’
Speaking on Lorenzo Gordinho, Motaung revealed that the defender will remain on loan at Bloemfontein Celtic.
‘He remains on loan at Celtic and is expected back at the end of his loan term in January. We are monitoring him and are happy to see him play regularly at Celtic.
‘The transfer window is a regulatory process. If we identify a need or an extraordinary talent becomes available, we won’t hesitate to pull all stops to bring him to Naturena.
‘We would like to thank all the players that have left.
‘We wish them all the best in their new endeavours. As for the new arrivals, we wish them a successful stay. At Chiefs, we give the players a platform to express their talents, build legacies and become icons,’ he concluded.
