Kaizer Chiefs have a chance, albeit small, to add Themba ‘Mshishi’ Zwane and Thabo Cele to their roster.
The former is a long shot, the latter not so much—Cele recently became a free agent after requesting his contract with Fakel Voronezh be terminated amid ‘serious health problems in the family’.
Making a deal with Kaizer Chiefs more plausible is Cele’s inability to join another European side thanks to an exit clause preventing the 28-year-old from using his free agency as leverage for a more lucrative contract.
The AmaKhosi target is free to do whatever he pleases in South Africa, where he is returning after nearly ten years abroad.
What’s happening with Zwane?
The Zwane situation is more complex.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ most experienced player has been out since October with an Achilles injury he sustained against Congo-Brazzaville.
The 35-year-old was offered a one-year contract extension before this season, meaning, if Masandawana doesn’t decide to extend, their most loyal disciple will become a free agent, making it easy pickings for Kaizer Chiefs; however, there’s a good chance Orlando Pirates will throw their hat in the ring.
Whether Kaizer Chiefs want Zwane is another question, but it’s likely he will require a sizeable salary as he enters the twilight of his career.
But this wouldn’t be the first time Kaizer Moutang has signed an out-of-contract Sundowns start, such as Gaston Sirino.
“Kaizer Chiefs could be watching the situation of a Mamelodi Sundowns star with an interested eye,” KickOff reported.
“This as has been the Soweto giants’ tradition with out-of-contract players at Chloorkop in recent years. Even though Chiefs appeared not to have planned it, it came as no surprise when they signed Gaston Sirino. This after his contract lapsed at Sundowns at the end of June 2024.
“Amakhosi may also not be able to resist the temptation of having the opportunity to sign Themba Zwane, whose contract is left with only five months. With Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos still rating the 35-year-old, it would not be a shock for Chiefs to lure the Tembisa-born man to Naturena.
“He would be following in the footsteps of the likes of Josta Dladla, Katlego Mphela, Leonardo Castro, Khama Billiat, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, and recently Sirino, who all joined Chiefs from Sundowns as free agents.”
Should Kaizer Chiefs sign both?
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