Chiefs in danger of losing club academy stars

KAIZER Chiefs’ busy transfer window has signalled ambition, but it also threatens to come at a cost: the possible displacement of the very academy graduates that have carried the club through difficult years.

- SMISO MSOMI

Amakhosi have added over 10 new faces to strengthen a squad preparing for a taxing season on multiple fronts.

With the Betway Premiership, the CAF Confederation Cup, the Carling Knockout Cup and the defence of their Nedbank Cup trophy, depth has become nonnegotiable.

Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, Nkanyiso Shinga, Ethan Chislett, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Lebohang Maboe, Asanele Velebayi, Luke Baartman, Flavio da Silva, Etiosa Ighodaro and, most recently, Khanyisa Mayo, have all arrived at Naturena.

The influx has swollen Chiefs’ squad to around 40 players — a figure head coach Nasreddine Nabi has already admitted is unsustainable.

With the transfer window still open, he has made it clear that more departures are expected as he trims his roster to a manageable size.