Kaizer Chiefs Orlando Pirates Soweto Derby

Chiefs and Pirates fans. Image: BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs fans are hungry, 405 minutes and counting

Amakhosi fans deserve a medal for their loyalty, honestly.

by James Freemantle

23-04-2024 17:38

in Premier Soccer League

Chiefs and Pirates fans. Image: BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs have been toothless in front of goal this season, a hangover from a worrying trend last season.

Kaizer Chiefs are battling to find the back of the net

Chiefs, shockingly, have only scored 19 goals from 24 league games this term and have a goal difference of zero. Last term they managed 32 goals in 30 games at an average of 1.07 goals per game. Their average stands at 0.79 goals per game in 2023/24. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice the problem plaguing them and how it’s worsened. It’s been NINE HALVES, or 405 minutes of football, since Chiefs last hit the back of the net. The last Amakhosi player to score for the club? Ashley Du Preez against Pirates on 9 March.

What’s the solution?

The Glamour Boys have been linked with several attacking players in recent weeks. Sekhukhune winger Elias Mokwana and Stellenbosch attacker Iqraam Rayners are two of the more prominent options. It poses a bit of a conundrum for the technical staff with a surplus of wide attackers on the club’s books. Ashley Du Preez is capable of playing there or through the centre, Mduduzi Shabalala is a winger who’s also being trained into a number 10 role, Christian Saile is an option on the right-hand side and newly-promoted Mfundo Vilakazi is an out and out winger.

Kaizer Chiefs Ashley du Preez — Du Preez in fine form. Image: iDiski Times

Is Mokwana keen on a move abroad?

Of course, there’s always room for improvement and Sekhukhune’s Elias Mokwana would potentially be a step up on all of the club’s existing wide options. The new Bafana Bafana man has four goals and four assists from 19 league appearances this term, so, understandably, he’s in demand. The 24-year-old recently made his national team debut. A goal against Andorra and an assist against 2019 African champions Algeria is proof he feels at home at the top level. According to football agent Pontsho Maduma via KickOff, Mokwana has some new admirers.

“Look, we are looking overseas. There have been a couple of calls from overseas, but locally we haven’t heard from anyone. Nothing concrete really,” Madumo told the publication.

“We have not received offers, but it’s just enquiries from people we’re working with, enquiring about a player who is currently doing well.”

“Bafana Bafana was a boost for the player, he did very well. We have associates we are working with (overseas) asking questions regarding the player, but no offers as yet,” he said.