Who could Kaizer Chiefs look to sign in January?
With the January transfer window fast approaching, there is little, on the face of it, for Kaizer Chiefs to do to improve a squad that is already nine points clear at the top of the Absa Premiership.
Thababng Monare (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)
Then again, if Chiefs are serious about maintaining a healthy advantage over Mamelodi Sundowns and the rest, then it might just do them good to bring in a couple of reinforcements. Phakaaathi takes a look at five players that we believe would improve the Chiefs squad immediately.
READ MORE: Former Chiefs star Musona set for January move.
READ MORE: Chiefs coach Middendorp happy to have made history.
Richard Ofori
Richard Ofori ©Gerahrd Duraan/BackpagePix
The Maritzburg United goalkeeper Richard Ofori did make a rare error in the Telkom Knockout final against Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend, but has generally been superb for United since joining them at the start of the 2017/18 season. With Daniel Akpeyi in fine form at the moment, the gap left by the long-term absence of Itumeleng Khune has not really been felt. Akpeyi, however is prone to incosistency, while Bruce Bvuma is still young perhaps still better off as a back-up. If Khune is really doomed to never play again for Chiefs, it would certainly stand them in good stead to find another reliable goalkeeper, and at 26, Ofori still has plenty of years in the tank.
Thabang Monare
Thabang Monare ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
There was a spell this season when Thabang Monare was left on the sidelines by Gavin Hunt at Bidvest Wits, with speculation swirling over a move for the Wits midifelder to Kaizer Chiefs. That didn’t happen in the August transfer window, but with Monare’s contract at Wits expiring in June, it is possible that Amakhosi could renew their interest in January. At 30, Monare would not be a long-term solution for Wits, but would certainly add some dynamism in the central midfield area. On the other hand, Monare has made his way back into the Wits starting line-up, and there seems little reason Wits would let him go.
Mwape Musonda
Mwape Musonda ©Kabelo Leputu/BackpagePix
For whatever reason, the acquisition of striker Lazarous Kambole this season has yet to work out for Kaizer Chiefs, with the Zambian yet to hit the back of the net, and having not played for Chiefs at all since the beginning of November. Talk is around around of a move back to Zambia for the 25 year-old, which would open up another striker’s slot in the Chiefs ranks. Mwape Musonda, the top scorer in the Absa Premiership last season, with 16 goals, has a proven track record in South Africa and could just be the man to replace Kambole, if Black Leopards are prepared to let him go.
Latshene Phalane
Latshene Phalane © Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs were given a scare in their last Absa Premiership match by Bloemfontein Celtic, who led three times before eventually losing 5-3. In the heart of the Celtic midfield was Latshene Phalane, who is enjoying another fine season in the Free State, but who at 30 possibly does have one major transfer left in him. Chiefs, however, would probably have to splash quite a bit of cash to get Phalane, as Celtic have just tied him down to a new three-year contract.
Evans Rusike
Evans Rusike Pic: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs were interested in SuperSport United’s striker ahead of the start of this season, but ended up signing Serbian Samir Nurkovic, who has done incredibly well thus far, his goals propelling Chiefs to the top of the table. That does make it unlikely Chiefs will come back in for Rusike in January, even though the Zimbabwean has done pretty well for SuperSport so far this season, particularly as he is being used mainly as a wide forward. It could be that Ernst Middendorp will still be keen on Rusike as cover for Nurkovic or Leonardo Castro, however, as Chiefs seek a first league title in five years.
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