Kaizer Chiefs must do their bit to support their fans in the transfer window

You have to feel for the Kaizer Chiefs fanbase. They raise their hopes of club making marquee signings with every passing transfer window, only to be let down. 

Chiefs blew lukewarm last season as they won the Nedbank Cup, and disappointedly finished outside the Top 8 in the Betway Premiership.

Coach Nasreddine Nabi had bemoaned that their shortcomings were due to their inferior squad depth - hence they needed to beef up during this window.

Nabi emphasised that the scouting process had already started during the season as this would be a make or break campaign for the club and the technical team.

As such, when Nabi was caught on camera attending some matches during the off-season alongside head scout Thembela Maliwa, expectations ran high from their fanbase.

But boy, those are yet to come into fruition - Chiefs are yet to make any notable ‘top signings’ as the bulk of the highly rated players have gone to their crosstown rivals.

Orlando Pirates have beaten their nemesis to two marquee signings - Sipho Mbule and Oswin Appollis - who’ve been heavily linked with Chiefs.

Mbule with all his ill-discipline issues remains a gem of a footballer, having proven his skillset from his day at SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United.

With all his flaws, the Chiefs fanbase were ready to welcome him to the Taung Village as they reckoned that he’d be the rightful gamechanger the team needed.

The Chiefs hierarchy will probably never reveal whether or not the club had made contact with Mbule’s agent Mike Makaab who admitted that he offered him to the club.

Of course, it would be naive to think that a team revolves around one player. Hence, Chiefs will be confident that they’ll make good signings, and not necessarily the right ones.

But no one from the already confirmed new quintet - Ethan Chislett, Thabiso Monyane, Flavio Silva, Paseka Mako and Nkanyiso Shinga - bring Mbule’s pedigree to the club.

Trio Chislett, Silva and Shinga were all signed from overseas-based clubs - England, Indonesia and Portugal - hence they are largely gambles.

They could bring about the needed reinforcements at Chiefs if they quickly adapt and adhere to Nabi’s philosophy which needed tried and tested players, instead of gamblers.

The duo of Mako and Monyane might be quality players in their own rights, but their struggles at Pirates are a cause for concern.

They didn’t make an impact in their previous club last season, owing to eventualities such as injuries, form and suspensions- something that they’ll unlikely not be immune to at Chiefs as well.

What will even be stressful for a discerning Chiefs fan is that whenever they’ve signed a free-agent who played for their arch-rivals, it never seems to work out as well.

Think Gaston Sirino - the Uruguayan arrived with a lofty billing at Chiefs last season after parting ways with Mamelodi Sundowns, but he never made the team quite tick, to be honest.

Except for scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 win over Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, there was nothing to write home about on Sirino’s season to be frank.

He was a shadow of his old self, appearing to turn up only when he feels like, while the reported burst up he had with Nabi didn’t help his cause either.

Of course, Mako and Monyane could still turn out to be ideal signings for Chiefs if their fortunes turn out otherwise.

But the Chiefs fanbase is still eager for strong signings. It’s been reported that Siphesihle Ndlovu has signed for the team on a three year-deal.

However, for all his impeccable midfield abilities, which include cleaning up for teammates, he’s not the sort of player that can win games for Chiefs. He thrives behind the scenes!

Chiefs’ head honchos are away with the team in their tour of the Netherlands, but Chiefs’ fans will be hoping that they are plotting behind the scenes for top signings.

Yes, sometimes clubs do break the bank for a player, only for the move not to work out, but I am sure Chiefs supporters will be satisfied knowing that the club did their part.