The much-speculated transfer of Congolese striker Fiston Mayele to Kaizer Chiefs has officially collapsed, with the Soweto giants closing the door on any potential deal for the Pyramids FC forward.
Sources reveal that despite initial contact from Mayele’s representatives, Chiefs showed no serious interest in pursuing the 29-year-old goal scorer. “The door is closed now,” a club insider told Kick Off, confirming the end of negotiations before they properly began.
Mayele had been on Chiefs’ radar following his prolific spell at Tanzanian giants Yanga SC, where his 25 goals across all competitions in the 2022/23 season made him one of Africa’s most feared strikers. His potential arrival had excited Amakhosi fans desperate for a clinical finisher after years of attacking struggles.
However, the club’s technical team appears to have reservations about the move. With Chiefs undergoing a squad rebuild under a soon-to-be-appointed new coach, they may be prioritizing different targets or focusing on developing younger talent.
The timing of Mayele’s recent transfer to Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids FC – reportedly for a $1 million fee – also complicated any potential deal, making a future move to South Africa financially challenging.
Chiefs’ decision to pass on Mayele raises questions about their recruitment strategy as they seek to end their trophy drought. Supporters will be watching closely to see if the club has alternative plans to strengthen their attack ahead of the 2025/26 season.
For now, the Congolese striker’s potential move to Naturena appears dead in the water, leaving Chiefs to explore other options in their quest for much-needed firepower up front.