Kaizer Chiefs landed the marquee signing of Khama Billiat from Mamelodi Sundowns, but they will need more than the PSL Footballer of the Year to mount a serious title bid, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
The Soweto giants have made a bit of progress ahead of the start of the 2018-19 Absa Premiership season, with the appointment of coach Giovanni Solinas as well as the acquisitions of Billiat, Virgil Vries and Letlhogonolo Mirwa.
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Chiefs recently did duty against defending PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the Shell Helix Ultra Cup.
Despite it being a pre-season spectacle, the Amakhosi succumbed to a disappointing 2-1 loss against a newly assembled Masandawana outfit, raising a few questions as to whether Chiefs need to dip back into the market in a bid to further bolster their squad.
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Assistant coach Patrick Mabedi stated that the club is happy with the squad and that they are just looking at bringing in another left back.
Unless mediocrity has become acceptable, Chiefs should bolster their squad ahead of the new season with the following signings:
1. Mzikayise Mashaba
The former Sundowns defender was spotted training at Naturena, with the club confirming that they are assessing him in a bid to sign him.
Could be viewed as an emergency signing to strengthen the left-back position; however, he does boast loads of top-flight experience in addition to being versatile.
Chiefs confirm Mashaba interest https://t.co/H8o2cagx41 #HailTheChief #Amakhosi4Life
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) July 25, 2018
2. Grant Margeman
With the decline of Willard Katsande seemingly in full swing, Chiefs desperately need a long-term replacement for the defensive midfielder.
Margeman displayed his sound technical ability for Ajax Cape Town, showing maturity beyond his years. He was part of the Amajita team that did duty at the U20 World Cup and was also included in Stuart Baxter’s provisional 34-man Cosafa Cup squad.
Forms part of a rare breed of midfielders in the PSL, who can excel at playing anywhere in the central midfield. His passing range and ability to keep it simple and get stuck in are arguably his best qualities.
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3. Yagan Sasman
A good place for Chiefs to start looking would be Ajax Cape Town. With the Mother City outfit having conceded defeat in their relegation battle, it is likely that a number of players will be snapped up.
Having risen through the Ajax ranks, Sasman was handed his first-team debut by Stanley Menzo in 2017, but he impressed long before that. Sasman was one of the two youngsters who attended training with Ajax Amsterdam in 2015 (the other being Rivaldo Coetzee).
Comfortable with the ball at his feet, the 22-year-old is capable of playing in the midfield and would be an excellent addition for any team.
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4. Tokelo Rantie
Rantie has not played competitive football since parting ways with Turkish outfit Genclerbirligi in 2017. Having previously played for Orlando Pirates, a move to rivals Chiefs would prove tricky.
Chiefs already have the likes of Khama Billiat, Leonardo Castro, Ryan Moon, Yusuf Bunting and Bernard Parker on their roster, but they don’t have that lethal edge that the former Bafana Bafana striker possesses.
If Chiefs are to bring him on board, it would certainly propel them to greater heights in terms of challenging for silverware in the new season.
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5. Issa Sarr
The Senegalese midfielder recently parted ways with Pirates after a bittersweet four-year stay. The general consensus by many was that he wasn’t good enough for a starting berth at Pirates, so what would make him worthy of one at Chiefs?
I know I’m likely to get flak for his inclusion on this list, but I do believe that he is a viable option for Chiefs.
With the Amakhosi boasting a number of flair-type attacking midfielders in Hendrick Ekstein, Siphelele Ntshangase and Kabelo Mahlasela, they will need someone to go under the radar and do the dirty work – something that Sarr thrives at.
Photo: Backpagepix
