KAIZER Chiefs are meaning business for the new season and after the massive exodus of players in May, the franchise announced their new signings on Monday, June 27, at Naturena.
Amakhosi will enter the new 2016/2017 season with an energetic bang from the mostly young players who have made the Kaizer Chiefs Village their home. Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung, together with marketing director Jessica Motaung and coach Steve Komphela introduced Keagan Buchanan, Sibusiso Khumalo, Enocent Mkhabela, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Emmanuel Letlotlo, Lewis Macha, Edmore Chirambadare and Michelle Katsvairo as the latest Glamour Boys. The eight players will add further quality to the wealth of talent already in the squad.
More personnel may well be recruited to ensure the team is strong enough to challenge for the league title as well as the three trophies on offer before the start of the new season in August.
“It is no secret that we had an underwhelming 2015/16 season,” said Motaung. “It was important for us to reflect and recognise that we deserve better. Accordingly, we made the necessary changes to ensure we bring the smiles back to the loyal Amakhosi faithful and our sponsors. We worked tirelessly with the technical team to identify and attract the best available talent in our quest to regain the titles and trophies we have become accustomed to winning.
“We are delighted to welcome all the new players to Kaizer Chiefs. They will inject new energy into the Amakhosi family. All these footballers are accomplished players with a wealth of top flight experience and we have every confidence they will represent the club with great distinction as we endeavour to return to our rightful position in South African football.”
Three new members of the club’s technical team were also introduced. Former Ghana international John Paintsil replaces Doctor Khumalo as Komphela’s assistant coach, with the Amakhosi legend moving into a new position within the development structures. Paintsil, who represented the Black Stars 88 times and represented them at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, joins from Maritzburg United.
Brian Baloyi is joined by Alexandre Revoredo to assist with the goalkeeper coaching duties at all levels within the club. The Brazilian has held similar posts at Safa and Orlando Pirates.
Revoredo’s compatriot, the physical trainer Marco Munhoz, completes the trio, coming in from Polokwane City with a mandate to get the players into the right shape and maintain a high level of performance for the duration of the season.
Kaizer Chiefs will play their first match, the Carling Black Cup on July 30, against Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium.
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