Kaizer Chiefs should revive the career of Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise.
The Pietermaritzburg-born player is likely to move next month. He has made just five appearances from Sundowns’ total of 25 matches played in all competitions this season.
SUNDOWNS SIGNINGS AHEAD OF SPHELELE MKHULISE
It was a stretch for Mkhulise to dislodge the likes of Lucas Ribeiro and Themba Zwane from the attacking midfielder starting role. Riberio’s exit and Zwane’s injury woes still did not force coach Miguel Cardoso to call on Mkhulise.
Instead, Sundowns signed two new players in his position: Nuno Santos and Katlego Ntsabeleng.
So why do Kaizer Chiefs need Mkhulise? Mduduzi Shabalala’s talent and growing international exposure with Bafana Bafana and in the CAF Confederation Cup are clear. However, the burden of carrying Amakhosi at just 21 has also slowed parts of his development. An experienced option like Mkhulise would ease that pressure and allow Shabalala to grow at a healthier pace.
Mkhulise, with 181 senior games, will literally be an investment in Shabalala rather than a replacement.
WHAT ABOUT KAIZER CHIEFS’ NKOSINGIPHILE NGCOBO, GEORGE MATLOU AND GASTON SIRINO?
The likes of Nkosingiphile Ngcoobo and George Matlou have been tested in the said attacking midfield role but with limited success, while the coaching staff have preferred Gaston Sirino out wide rather than the number 10 role.
While Shabalala has shown glimpses of high quality in the Betway Premiership, the Soweto-born attacker has not quite made any impact in the CAF Confederation Cup against Al Masry and Zamalek, where there’s added physicality and limited space in the final third.
Meanwhile, Mkhulise will not be phased by CAF’s higher level. He has scored four goals and created one assist in 39 games for Sundowns in CAF interclub football. He has faced some of the continent’s giants, such as Al Ahly four times, Wydad Casablanca three times.
With his Sundowns deal coming to an end in June 2026, Kaizer Chiefs should be able to negotiate a bargain in January. He may be keen and inspired to follow in the footsteps of Gaston Sirino and
THEMBINKOSI LORCH, NEO MAEMA AND RUSHWIN DE RUECK FOOTSTEPS
Mkhulise will alternatively seek a loan move to emulate his former teammates Thembinkosi Lorch, Neo Maema, and Rushwin De Rueck, who shone elsewhere after spending too much time frozen out of the Sundowns squad.
