Cassius Mailula, a youthful forward for Mamelodi Sundowns, has impressed fans and clubs alike this season. In 12 Premier Soccer League appearances, the 21-year-old winger has scored seven goals and contributed three assists. Furthermore, in just three Group B CAF Champions League matches, he has been involved in four goals, scoring three and providing an assist. Mailula’s exceptional play has piqued the curiosity of several prominent French teams, but it remains to be seen if he will leave the South African squad.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs are trying to strengthen their team ahead of the next transfer window, emphasizing central midfield and wide areas. Fans are worried about what will happen if important players like Yusuf Maart, Ashley du Preez, or Christian Saile get hurt, lose form, or are punished.
To address this issue, fans are calling for the team to sign a number of players in June, including Pule Mmodi, a 29-year-old winger from Golden Arrows, Khanyisa Mayo, a 24-year-old winger from Cape Town City, Ibraheem Jabaar, a 20-year-old central midfielder from Stellenbosch FC, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, a 28-year-old defensive midfielder also from Stellenbosch FC, and Karim Kimvuidi, a 20-year-old attacking midfielder from Maritzburg United.
In addition to these prospective additions, Kaizer Chiefs have already signed Thatayaone Ditlhokwe on a pre-contract with SuperSport United. The center defender is expected to join the team in July, while the club is also attempting to recruit TS Galaxy’s Given Msimango. With these new acquisitions, at least two incumbent defenders are predicted to depart the squad. Based on their few appearances this season, Erick Mathoho and Austin Dube are the most likely possibilities.
This season, Kaizer Chiefs’ defensive woes have been widely chronicled, with the squad surrendering 24 goals in 21 Premier Soccer League matches. Defender Siyabonga Ngezana, on the other hand, has defended his team’s performances, noting that “football is a game of blunders” and that “not everything will go perfectly in your life.” In the absence of Reeve Frosler and Dillan Solomons, Ngezana has been rotated with Zitha Kwinika as right-back, and it is likely that he would start in Solomons’ absence for the team’s next encounter against Richards Bay.
Ultimately, Kaizer Chiefs fans will be hoping that the team can make some wise additions in the forthcoming transfer window to address their shortcomings and compete in the Premier Soccer League with the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and SuperSport United. It is unclear whether Mailula will be a part of this new-look club, but supporters will be watching for any developments on his future.
