Latest news with #Naturena
The South African
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Bimenyimana names two Kaizer Chiefs mates in his ‘Ultimate XI'
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana has named his best starting eleven comprising of players he's played with. The Burundian international spent one season at Naturena back in 2022. The towering attacker has already played for 11 professional clubs, meaning he had a big basket of teammates to choose from. Let's see who made the cut from Naturena. ADVERTISEMENT READ MORE • Orlando Pirates sell prodigy once dubbed as 'the next big thing'! Two former Kaizer Chiefs teammates make Bimenyimana's dream team READ MORE • Orlando Pirates extend the contracts of two senior stars! Speaking to Akeza Sports, Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana named his ultimate XI. In defence he included former Kaizer Chiefs teammate Edmilson Dove while on the wing Mduduzi Shabalala also made the cut. Bimenyimana then placed himself up front. Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana made 21 appearances for Kaizer Chiefs. The attacker scored an impressive eight goals while assisting one more for the club. He's currently on the books of Algerian giants USM Alger. He scored three goals for them last season in 13 appearances, as per Transfermarkt. ADVERTISEMENT READ MORE • How much Orlando Pirates paid for Oswin Appollis! Was Caleb given a fair chance at Naturena? Was Bimenyimana given a fair chance to shine at Kaizer Chiefs? Considering his goals to games ratio, did he deserve at least another season at the club? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by also emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Toyota Cup clash more than a friendly for Chiefs
PRE-SEASON tournaments may not necessarily be a true indicator of what is going to transpire in the season proper. But they set the tone for what's to come and give supporters an indication of how ready their team is for the campaign. It is for that reason that Kaizer Chiefs are taking the weekend's Toyota Cup clash against Ghana's Asante Kotoko seriously, Amakhosi speaking of the clash as though it were an FA Cup of sorts. Smashed 4-0 by Tanzania's Young Africans last year and then going on to have a league season that might as well be described as an episode in the club's illustrious story best forgotten, Chiefs mean business this time around. They have made a handful of new signings they believe will strengthen their squad and make them more competitive and they have described their pre-season in the Netherlands as a success. Their ordinary followers will not easily buy into that though, not when that tour produced a single victory out of five matches – the rest having been defeats. Understandable then, that Saturday's clash with Kotoko is way more than just a friendly pre-season match. It is a must-win clash for Amakhosi if they are to convince not only their fans but themselves too that the 2025/26 campaign is the season in which they rise back to being one of the country's top sides. Their success in winning the Nedbank Cup at the end of last season has raised hopes and helped them get an unwanted monkey off their back - that of having gone ten seasons without winning silverware. That anomaly out of the way, Chiefs can now play freely and without the added pressure brought about by the desperation to win a trophy. It is a good environment for the new players to come into, to be part of a team fresh from enjoying a trophy success. Former Orlando Pirates players Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane bring that winning mentality to Naturena while the other newbies coming from outside the country are going to be hard-pressed to impress at the outset. Striker Flavio Silva in particular needs to hit the ground running after he failed to impress during the matches out in the Netherlands, so much so that some of the Amakhosi faithful wrote him off immediately. He joins the club with an impressive resume – the Guinea Bissau-born Portuguese having been a prolific scorer in Indonesia where he scored 39 goals in 78 appearances over two seasons. He has, however, had a journeyman career – Chiefs being the 29-year-old's 12th club since he turned pro back in 2014. Will he stay the course at Naturena and deliver the goals? No doubt they believe that at Chiefs lest they'd not have signed him. They are an unforgiving lot the Amakhosi faithful and Silva will do well to win them over as early as on Saturday by scoring the goal that sees Chiefs beating Kotoko and keeping the Toyota Cup at home. Pre-season as the competition might be, it is an important one for Chiefs who have traditionally given their fans something to smile about going into the new campaign with victories in such tournaments. Remember how dominant they used to be in the defunct Charity Spectacular tournament sponsored by Iwiesa and later Telkom as well as in the Vodacom Challenge? They actually won the latter years ago and beat Kotoko and the Ghanains have made it clear that they are here to exact revenge for that result long forgotten by most Chiefs fans.
The South African
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs in pursuit of TWO ex-players!
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Lesako has returned from his loan spell with Moroka Swallows. Source: SNL24. Kaizer Chiefs are interested in bringing back a couple of former players to Naturena. Kaizer Chiefs want to bring a few former players back to the club. So, will they be able to lure both ex-Amakhosi stars back to Naturena? ADVERTISEMENT CHIEFS RECRUITERS EYE FORMER CLUB Chiefs scouts and recruiters have been keeping a close eye on former Amakhosi player, Lebogang Lesako. 'Some Chiefs scouts and recruiters have been following his progress. They know him already as he is their former player and they are happy on how he has progressed from where he was before to where he is this season. He has shown growth both as a player and as a person and that's what makes them happy with his progress. They are believed to have enquired about him as they have shown interest in him,' the insider told SoccerLaduma. So, he is one of two former players the club is considering bringing back. AMAKHOSI PLAN DITHEJANE RETURN The other ex-Amakhosi player on Chiefs' radar is Puso Dithejane. 'One of the long term plans is believed to be working on bringing Puso (Dithejane) back to the team in the off season. We are all human and we make mistakes, and, so what if the team made a mistake and they want the player back?' he added. Meaning, Amakhosi's technical team are looking at both ex-Chiefs players as well as these players from Mamelodi Sundowns, PSL rivals and Bafana Bafana. ADVERTISEMENT Dithejane was released after an incident involving a ball boy. However, Amakhosi's management and technical team have moved on and they to turn a new page with Dithejane. SHOULD CHIEFS BRING LESAKO AND DITHEJANE BACK TO NATURENA OR NOT? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs - Full list: 11 targets from PSL rivals, Sundowns and Bafana Bafana
Kaizer Chiefs are in the market for some key player recruitments. Kaizer Chiefs are closing in on their SEVENTH signing of the current transfer window. Jessica Motaung has confirmed that Amakhosi will be making more signings with new player announcements expected soon. So, let's take a look at all the players linked with Chiefs. Stanley Nwabali Croatian keeper (Pirates too) Asanele Velebayi Luke Maartman Lebogang Phiri Djenan Zajmovic Mayambela Feisal Salum Percy Tau Fiston Mayele Etiosa Ighodaro So, Chiefs have been linked with all of the above players this transfer window. In goal, Nwabali remains a top target for Amakhosi. This is because Fiacre Ntwari is one of FIVE more Chiefs players heading out of Naturena. Furthermore, PSL rivals Chippa United are open to offers for their top goalkeeper. Meanwhile, both Velebayi and Maartman have agreed to personal terms with Chiefs. However, they face an ongoing legal dispute over their contracts with Cape Town Spurs. Motaung has hinted at both being announced if and hopefully when these issues are resolved. Also, this R3-million capped Bafana Bafana has confirmed that Chiefs made contact with him. Furthermore, he is open to joining Amakhosi. Phiri is a former Chiefs transfer target and is one of the players they could sign if Nasreddine Nabi and co opts to do so. Mayambela is the other capped Bafana Bafana star linked with Chiefs. His brother recently teased the move on social media. Finally, a couple of international players are on Amakhosi's radar – Croatian goalkeeper Antonio Tuta and TS Galaxy striker – Dzenan Zajmovic. Percy Tau and Fiston Mayele were two of the biggest names linked with moves to Naturena. However, neither of these players is likely to join Chiefs. Amakhosi have shown no interest in Tau despite the Bafana Bafana attacker's willingness to join the Soweto giants at a reduced rate. They do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. Mistakes that saw them sign big names that did not perform such as Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat. Whilst, Mayele brother has stated that a move to the PSL is no longer on the table. Thus, closing the door over a possible Chiefs move. Another player heavily linked who Amakhosi who is unlikely to sign for them is Salum. The midfielder has been strongly linked with a move for Naturena for months but talks have gone quiet. Meanwhile, outbound Mamelodi Sundowns striker, Ighodaro was initially named in Amakhosi's training squad for their pre-season tour of the Netherlands but he did not play in the friendlies. Moreover, he was not announced as a new player following the tour. Talks have stalled and the move no longer looks likely. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs news: Transfer stalls, coach issues warning
The pressure is mounting at Kaizer Chiefs, both on and off the field. While head coach Nasreddine Nabi recently led the club to its first trophy in a decade — a memorable Nedbank Cup triumph — the celebrations have been short-lived. AmaKhosi have won just one of five pre-season matches, and concerns are growing over squad readiness ahead of the new season. Central to those concerns is a stalled transfer involving a sought-after striker. Etiosa Ighodaro has been heavily linked with a move to Naturena, but despite widespread reports of a completed deal, insiders suggest nothing has been signed. 'There's been a lot of talk about Ighodaro joining Chiefs, but the reports suggesting he has signed are inaccurate,' a source close to the situation said. 'He is still assessing his options both locally and abroad. Nothing has been concluded.' The delay has frustrated supporters and will be seemingly fustrating Nabi, who, following the club's Nedbank Cup victory, the Tunisian coach made his expectations for the upcoming season very clear. 'I wouldn't be honest if I said that I'm gonna stay if the club doesn't allow me to get all the tools to succeed next season,' Nabi told SuperSport. 'They have promised, and myself, I have promised the fans that I want to build a successful team that will compete in every competition to win trophies.' 'That's the condition for me to stay… I don't feel that I want to go through what I went through this season.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
