Bongolethu Jayiya (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
Jayiya signed with the Soweto side on Thursday after training with them for a short while.
“We have been in talks with Bhongo over the past two weeks and we finally signed him,” said Bobby Motaung.
“We discussed him with Cape Town City and they gave us a good report about his attitude. We also looked at the kind of system we are playing, and with his agility and experience, he will come handy.”
READ: Jayiya opens up about Chiefs move
The 27-year-old – who is an attacking midfielder with an impressive eye for goal – was Amakhosi’s third signing since the transfer window opened on Monday.
The Glamour Boys also confirmed former Maritzburg United’s Philani Zulu and Teenage Hadebe, who was last on the books of Chicken-Inn FC in Zimbabwe. They all joined on three-year deals.
The Saturday Citizen understands that Hadebe, who is a central defender, was initially signed last year but sent back to Chicken-Inn to gain more experience while both Zulu and Jayiya’s contract with previous teams had run out at the end of June.
Zulu and Jayiya have previously worked with Amakhosi coach Steve Komphela at Maritzburg and he had been eyeing them for a while now.
Jayiya confirmed this shortly after signing for Komphela’s team. “I heard about the interest from Chiefs towards the end of my contract with City last season. This is a childhood dream becoming a reality. I am excited about this move and just want to get on to the pitch and let my feet do the talking. I am here to assist to bring back the glory days.”
It was however Bidvest Wits who made the biggest coup this week when they snatched former Bafana Bafana and Tottenham Hotspur star, Steven Pienaar from right under the noses of Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The Clever Boys confirmed Pienaar’s signing on Wednesday, ending weeks of speculation over who he would join on his return to the Absa Premiership after spending 18 years overseas.
The Buccaneers also made a big signing of their own after beating Wits to Thamsanqa Sangweni’s signature. Pirates announced Sangweni as their new recruit on Monday. Chiefs and Pirates are under pressure to do well next season following two consecutive lean terms.