Katsande Chiefs Hamburg

Willard Katsande of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates goal during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Black Leopards at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 07 November 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

“Kaizer Chiefs blocked my Bundesliga move”- Willard Katsande

Having spent a decade at Kaizer Chiefs during his play days, Willard Katsande’s legacy at the club is thought to be a cause for debate still.

Katsande Chiefs Hamburg

Willard Katsande of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates goal during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Black Leopards at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 07 November 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Having spent a decade at Kaizer Chiefs during his play days, Willard Katsande’s legacy at the club is thought to be a cause for debate still.

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Katsande quickly gained a reputation as a midfield hardman at Chiefs, winning the hearts of many while also earning criticism from others.

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Chiefs was Katsande’s second club in South Africa, having arrived in the country to sign and play for the now defunct Ajax Cape Town. Ironically when he arrived in the country, he arrived as an attacking midfielder. It would be veteran Dutch mentor Foppe de Haan who would end up noticing his qualities as a defensive minded midfielder. 

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In the end, that’s the version of Katsande Chiefs got and boy were they happy to get him. In his debut season at the club, back in 2012/13 the Zimbabwean international had a stellar campaign. He was also influential in Amakhosi going all the way to claiming the league title. Then, what most people might not be aware of is that, that campaign could have been a first and last for him at the club. 

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Katsande then found himself attracting the attentions of German Bundesliga outfit SV Hamburg. He recalls how Chiefs refused to let him take up the challenge. 

How Chiefs blocked his move to Hamburg

“After winning the league in my debut season at Chiefs, Hamburger came after my signature. But, unfortunately, the deal didn’t materialise because my contract was still running at Chiefs. I think, maybe, they didn’t agree on other terms but Hamburger were determined to get me and it’s not something which I regret,” Katsande told H-Metro, a publication from his native Zimbabwe. 

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In the end, ‘Boss Ya Mboka’ as he is affectionately known as, on social media streets, completed a decade at Amakhosi, which ended up seeing him lift two league titles, the Nedbank Cup and the MTN8 title. In total he made made 356 appearances for the club, becoming a key cog of that midfield for many a year, and even donning the club’s captains armband.