A competitive Kaizer Chiefs can only be a good thing for South African football.
For far too many years, the mighty Amakhosi have fallen off the pace.
In fact, the last time we seen a competitive Amakhosi side was all the way back in 2019/20 under Ernst Middendorp.
Who can forget that season? Chiefs led the way for most of it before being beaten to the title on the final day of the COVID-disrupted season.
The football wasn’t beautiful, but effective and nobody can deny there was a special buzz in the local football circles.
Amakhosi’s biggest issue is their attack
It’s no secret that Kaizer Chiefs have struggled to match the quality of rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sundowns have leaned heavily towards a few, but high quality recruitments over recent windows.
Orlando Pirates on the other hand have signed smartly. Irvin Khoza has roped in exciting talent in various positions. With competition high, even Abdeslam Ouaddou’s regulars are firing on all cylinders.
Now back to Kaizer Chiefs, who haven’t been horrific this season but they have been inconsistent. One area the Glamour Boys have struggled in during recent years is their attack.
The Motaungs went out and bought four new strikers in Etiosa Ighodaro, Luke Baartman, Flavio Silva and Khanyisa Mayo at the beginning of the season.
Their impact however has been limited. Last season, Chiefs scored just 25 goals in 28 league games. This season, the club have managed to score just 13 goals in 13 matches.
In contrast, Sundowns have scored 20 goals while Pirates have scored 18 goals during the same period.
Kaizer Chiefs are also not conceding many goals, further proof their attack needs to start pulling its weight.
Three signings that can transform the Amakhosi overnight
With Independiente Medellín striker Brayan León reportedly on his way to Chloorkop, Peter Shalulile’s spot at the club is under scrutiny. The 32-year-old Namibian striker is already behind Iqraam Rayners in the pecking order, placing his future at the club under question.
If Kaizer Chiefs are serious about winning the league title anytime soon, Peter Shalulile should be at the very top of their list. Alongside him, another striker who will bring a completely different element to their attack is Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Mabasa’s time at the Buccaneers appears to be up. Following in line with the likes of Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane, a move to rivals Kaizer Chiefs would make sense.
While scoring is key, supply is equally important. Sekhukhune United star Vusimuzi Mncube is one player Chiefs should go all out to sign. Ncube has indeed his his prime at the age of 32. In his last 27 league appearances for United, he has seven assists and four goals.
Mncube may be a wild card, but his vision and composure is exactly what Kaizer Chiefs have been lacking.