Kaizer Chiefs’ striker rebuild ahead of the new campaign may not only depend on recruiting from abroad.
With Amakhosi looking for more goals and efficiency in front of goal, proven Betway Premiership forwards could become attractive targets.
The appeal is obvious. Players already established in the league understand the demands and can often contribute immediately.
This is a three-part series of strikers to sign. You can read Part 1 here and Padrt 2 here.
EXPECT A NEW STRIKER AT KAIZER CHIEFS
At the same time, Amakhosi already have a striker group that is still taking shape. Flavio Silva finished as the club’s top scorer with eight goals, Etiosa Ighodaro is working his way back from injury, while Tashreeq Morris is expected to move on. That situation leaves space for fresh firepower to be added.
Tshegofatso Mabasa, 29 years old, Orlando Pirates contract ending on 30 June
One name that naturally comes into the conversation is Tshegofatso Mabasa, whose contract situation and recent career moves have once again placed him on the radar of big clubs.
Before his loan move to Stellenbosch FC in January 2026, Mabasa had already built a strong reputation as one of the most reliable finishers in South African football.
His journey began at Bloemfontein Celtic, where he developed through the system and broke into senior football, eventually scoring his first goal against Chippa United in 2018.
His form in the 2018/19 season opened the door to a major move to Orlando Pirates, where he would go on to establish himself as a key striker in different phases of his career.
GOALS, LOANS AND A PROVEN PSL RECORD
Mabasa’s time at Orlando Pirates saw him score 50 goals in 141 appearances, placing him among the club’s most productive forwards in the PSL era. His spell in Soweto also included major trophy wins, including MTN8 and Nedbank Cup success, but competition for starting places often pushed him in and out of the lineup.
To find regular minutes, Mabasa went through loan spells at Sekhukhune United and Moroka Swallows, where he continued to show his finishing ability. His return to Pirates in 2024 produced one of his strongest individual runs, as he finished the season as the PSL Golden Boot winner.
More recently, the 2025/26 campaign became more complicated after tactical changes limited his starts at Orlando Pirates under Abdeslam Ouaddou. Despite scoring 4 goals in 9 matches early in the season, he eventually pushed for a move and joined Stellenbosch FC on loan in January 2026 (scored 5 goals in 13 games).
For Kaizer Chiefs, a striker like Mabasa represents something simple but important: proven PSL goals, experience under pressure, and a profile that does not need time to adapt. In a rebuild that is still taking shape, that kind of certainty could become very valuable.
