Ex-Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Njabulo Blom explains why the MLS is also competitive. Image Source: (@KaizerChiefs/BafanaBafana/Twitter)
The grass, and money, aren’t always greener on the other side.
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Njabulo Blom explains why the MLS is also competitive. Image Source: (@KaizerChiefs/BafanaBafana/Twitter)
Former Kaizer Chiefs midfield dynamo moved to the USA MLS in December 2022 but it wasn’t necessarily for huge money.
Njabulo Blom is the second-best-paid South African in the MLS, earning $338k annually (R6.4 million) with Minnesota United FC’s Bongokuhle Hlongwane outstripping him with earnings of $610k (R11.6 million). Former Sundowns striker Cassius Mailula earns $291k (R5.5 million) annually. It’s not shabby, but how does it stack up with the best earners at Chiefs right now? Would he be on better money here in South Africa had he stuck around?
You’d think Blom’s earnings would be far greater than anybody at Naturena, but you’d be wrong. As of 2024, Keagan Dolly’s basic monthly salary at Chiefs is R1.4 million, or R16.8 million a year. That means he’s earning far more than Hlongwane, the MLS’s best South African earner. What is the moral of the story? Become the top earner at one of the Big 3 clubs in South Africa and you won’t need to go anywhere else for a long while.
On the topic of contracts, Mfundo Vilakazi, affectionately known as Obrigado, has recently signed his first pro deal with Chiefs. His agent, Mike Makaab, has waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old’s natural abilities. He’s compared him to Jabu Mahlangu, formerly known as Jabu Pule, who earned 20 caps for Bafana.
”I had the fortune of representing Jabu Mahlangu and I never thought I would see another player with that innate talent, that unbelievable ability on the ball until I saw Mfundo Vilakazi,” said Makaab during Extra Time on Gagasi FM.
“He is probably one of the most exciting young players I have seen in this country for many many years. I just hope, and we (Pro Sport International) will obviously try and play our part, that he keeps his feet on the ground, but more importantly that the talent and skill isn’t coached out of him because you have got to encourage him to do what he is doing. He glides past defenders as if they don’t exist,” added Makaab.
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