Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs players during training. Photo: Twitter @KaizerChiefs

TRANSFER TALK: Reported Chiefs target now linked to PSL newcomers

Highly-regarded Lesotho striker Katleho Makateng, who has been linked with Chiefs, could in fact end up on the books of Richards Bay.

Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs players during training. Photo: Twitter @KaizerChiefs

Since last season concluded, Chiefs have been on the lookout for more players to add to their forward firepower after bidding farewell to the likes of Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro.

Wayde Lekay was on trial at Naturena, but will not be signed with Chiefs, while Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana is said to have impressed during his assessments at Kaizer Chiefs.

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Lesotho’s 23-year-old international Katleho Makateng was one of the latest players to be linked to Amakhosi, as reported by Tiyani Mabasa’s Unplayable online source.

However, Lesotho Defence Force FC legal officer Major Mantso Sello has told Goal.com that Amakhosi are yet to make a bid for the promising marksman.  

“To be fair and honest with you, we haven’t received anything from Kaizer Chiefs,” Sello told GOAL. “However, we have read on the media platforms, that they seem to be interested in our player, but they haven’t placed anything on the table.

“We do have their offer on the table, Richards Bay’s offer is currently being assessed. However, we have not signed the document. But we are considering accepting the offer.” 

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So who is Chiefs target Makateng?

While it may not be a name familiar to many, it’s clear that he is a highly-talented youngster, as summarised below, according to Wikipedia.

Makateng began his career with local Pitseng side Litšilo FC of the second division. He signed for a club in the Lesotho Premier League for the first time before the 2020–21 season, joining Lesotho Defence Force FC. During his first season in the league, following the COVID-19 pandemic, he scored 20 goals to win the golden boot award and break the previous single-season goal record of 18 held by Mojela Letsie and Motebang Sera.

Following the season, he then received the Players’ Player of the Year, Young Player of the Season, and Player of the Season awards at the annual league award ceremony, in additional to the top scorer award.

Makateng was part of Lesotho’s under-20 squad that made it to the final of the 2017 COSAFA U-20 Cup before ultimately falling to South Africa. He made his senior international debut on 8 March 2022 in a warm-up friendly against Eswatini as part of preparation for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

He went on to appear in both of Lesotho’s Preliminary Round matches against the Seychelles and scored his first two senior international goals in the second fixture as Lesotho advanced to the Group Stage. Makteng was then named to Lesotho’s squad for the 2022 COSAFA Cup in July of that year. In Lesotho’s opening match he scored his country’s game-winning goal against Malawi in the 2–1 upset victory.

Meanwhile, some rumours have suggested that Bo Rangers are withholding Kamara’s passport, but that has since been denied by the club, while also reiterating that no other side has approached them with interest in the player.

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