Mmodi reacts to recruitment links with Chiefs: I could be one of them!

Chiefs have been linked with a host of players as they look to rebuild the squad under the leadership of head coach Arthur Zwane.

It’s now been reported by SABC Sport that Bafana Bafana attacker Pule Mmodi is one of the latest to join their target list, although Golden Arrows do have the option of triggering a one-year extension on his contract.

If Arrows are keen on selling the player, it will remain to be seen what valuation is placed on the playmaker, and whether that dissuades Chiefs at all.

Interestingly, Mmodi recently opened up about the links to Chiefs in an exclusive interview with iDiski Times.

“I’ve just read things in the newspapers, saying I’ve signed with Chiefs and all this stuff but you know how it can be. I’ve not had any contact with anyone, I still need to make a decision about me moving to the next team after meeting with the Chairlady.

“Kaizer Chiefs… I never supported them growing up, I never supported any team but I’m attracted to Chiefs as it’s a good team for me. I can be one of them [as part of the rebuild],” he said.

As Chiefs continue their recruitment drive, the Soweto giants recently confirmed that Zitha Kwinika and Ashley du Preez are soon set to make the move to Naturena as of the 1st of July.

CONFIRMED: DU PREEZ AND KWINIKA TO JOIN CHIEFS FROM JULY!

It’s clear that Chiefs are looking to rebuild their squad to be more competitive next year, and after signing Siyethemba Sithebe from AmaZulu on a pre-contract, reports also suggest Chiefs are closing in on Yusuf Maart.

In fact, Amakhosi are said to be willing to splash the cash to secure the services of the Sekhukhune United star, who remains a key target.

The contract situation for Maart means Kaizer Chiefs would have to table a sizeable transfer fee, and Soccer Laduma provided a recent update to suggest that an offer had initially been tabled by the Soweto giants. However, Sekhukhune United CEO Jonas Malatji later suggested he in fact expected Maart to stay with the club because the offers that have come through are not good enough.

However, in a report from reliable SABC Sport on Sunday, Chiefs have tabled a second bid in their pursuit of Maart, which is apparently just short of the R10-million price tag placed on Maart by Sekhukhune.

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Chiefs are set to go through a crucial rebuilding phase under the leadership of Zwane

Meanwhile, it’s been reported that Kobamelo Kodisang could still quite possibly make a move to Kaizer Chiefs despite his overseas club triggering a two-year contract option.

There has been talk that Braga intend to loan Kodisang out to the lower division, which is not an appealing prospect for the former Bidvest Wits playmaker who moved to Braga three years ago. It’s since been suggested that Naturena could be a potential destination if Kodisang does leave the Portuguese side.

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According to reports in Ghana, Amakhosi have apparently made contact with Asante Kotoko over 20-year-old Cameroon striker Franck Mbella, while leading agent Mike Makaab has suggested there are key talks on the go with three players.

“A lot of the Chiefs supporters have spoken to me about the West African striker, I can tell you that I’m not only in the process of offering a West African striker but also another African striker to Kaizer Chiefs,” Makaab said on Gagasi FM on Monday.

“I’ve opened discussions with Chiefs on both that player and a player at Swallows and a player that’s in Portugal that we’ve all spoken about, so as we talk now there are three players I’m discussing with management of Chiefs.

“We have to hope that we can two at least one or two of those deals that can assist Chiefs if they believe these players can help them in their rebuilding process. One at Swallows one at Braga and one currently one of the top scorers in the continent based in Africa.”

Chiefs have clearly indicated there will be ‘drastic’ changes to ensure they become a more well-rounded team next season, and according so Soccer Laduma, the club may be closing in on Swallows duo Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Dillon Solomons. 

Furthermore, Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder Fabrice Ngoma has reportedly been offered to Amakhosi as a free agent, while the club has apparently reignited interest in recruiting former SA youth international Thabo Cele, who currently plays for Polish side Radomiak Radom.

All this transfer talk comes as Chiefs released as many as 10 players, while transfer-listing Anthony Akumu.