Kaizer Chiefs makes changes for new season

Following a highly successful season in which Kaizer Chiefs reclaimed the Absa Premiership title, changes are afoot as the club seeks to freshen its playing squad and technical staff in readiness for the defence of the title in the upcoming 2015/16 season.

Amakhosi chairman Kaizer Motaung shed some light on what has been going on behind the scenes at Naturena over the past few weeks.

“The club enjoyed a phenomenal campaign in 2014/15 and I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who contributed to making this one of the most unforgettable seasons in the club’s illustrious history,” said Motaung. “From top to bottom, we rewrote the PSL record books with the highest number of points, the biggest win margin over the runners-up, the highest average points per game and a record 19 clean sheets, feats that have raised the bar in domestic football.

“However, Kaizer Chiefs has never been a club that is satisfied with resting on success and our aim is to improve on what we achieved this past season. Football is not a static game and there is always room for progress. So, while some familiar faces will no longer be with us, we believe our fans will be very excited by some of the new faces that will be in the Gold and Black next season.

Head coach Stuart Baxter will leave the club. Motaung said, “We sat down with the coach and we had a long discussion on the way forward. He expressed his desire to move on to bigger challenges after having just completed a historic and successful three seasons with us. We parted amicably.

“Regarding his replacement, we will throw the net far and wide in our search to find the right coach. Once we have found him, we will make an announcement.”

Three high profile players have also part ways with the club. Itumeleng Khune, Tefo Mashamaite and Mandla Masango will not have their players’ contracts renewed. The futures of other Bafana Bafana stars such as Mandla Masango, Tefu Mashamaite, Katlego Mphela and Erick Mathoho were also clarified by the chairman.

The chairman also paid tribute to two stalwarts, Josta Dladla and Siyabonga Nkosi, who were both released after their respective contracts expired. “Josta and Siyabonga have served Kaizer Chiefs with honour and distinction.

A number of players have also been earmarked to go out on loan in order to gain further experience. Phakamani Mngadi will go back to Belgium side AS Eupen, where he spent last season. Others in line to be farmed out are Ovidy Karuru, Simphiwe Mtsweni, Zitha Macheke, Chris Matombo and Levy Mokgothu.

“We had great expectations when Phakamani arrived. However, it has not worked out as we had hoped and it has been decided to loan him back to his Belgium club for another year,” said Motaung. “A few other players might also go on loan becauseit is always important that players get game time in order to improve. Our up and coming youngsters in particular need to gain this experience.”

Finally, when pressed on possible new signings at the club, Motaung responded: “The players will return from holiday on June 18 for testing. Thereafter, we shall confirm all the new signings for the 2015/2016 season. We can’t divulge this information now, as we are still negotiating with some exciting young talents, while some others are at present still under contract of their current club.”

In closing, he said: “We would like to thank the players and the coach for their contribution to our success and we will ensure that we reinforce the team and ready to compete fiercely in the new season.”