Kaizer Chiefs have bolstered their squad ahead of the 2017-18 Absa Premiership season with the signings of Philani Zulu and Teenage Hadebe from Maritzburg United and Chicken Inn respectively.
Chiefs returned to pre-season under the guidance of Steve Komphela and new assistant coach Patrick Mabedi, and confirmed their first two signings ahead of the new season, following their release of seven players, including Camaldine Abraw and Lucky Baloyi.
The Soweto giants took to their official twitter account to publicise the signings, before releasing a statement shortly afterwards.
Player Updates: New Players – Philani Zulu who joins from Maritzburg United and Zimbabwean International, Teenage Hadebe #Amakhosi4Life
— Kaiser Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) July 3, 2017
Hadebe, who has four Zimbabwe national team caps under his belt, is known to have been on Amakhosi’s radar and the centre-back is expected to bolster the central-defensive department, currently consisting of Eric Mathoho, Lorenzo Gordinho, Daniel Cardoso and youngster Siyabonga Ngezana.
Zulu plied his trade under Komphela while at Maritzburg and is known for his versatility, among other traits, having played all across the park. The 28-year-old is expected to add a different dimension to the Naturena-based outfit’s attack, competing with the likes of Sibusiso Khumalo, Tsepo Masilela or George Lebese, depending how Komphela’s starting line-up looks.
Chiefs’ football manager, Bobby Motaung, released a statement confirming the two new signings.
‘We have been working throughout the break to negotiate and finalise some of these deals,’ he said on the club’s official website.
‘We need to make sure that coach Steve and his new assistant have a strong team that will compete fiercely in the new season.
‘We welcome the duo to our stable and hope that they live up to expectations and make our supporters happy.
‘We have been monitoring them and we really felt they could help improve our squad,’ he concluded.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/Backpagepix
