The Chiefs have not made a bid for TS Galaxy playmaker and former Amakhosi DDC star Puso Dithejane. He will remain with The Rockets until he receives a satisfactory offer. Rumours are also swirling about him joining international teams after impressing in a pre-season friendly against German Bundesliga side Augsburg. The versatile teenager has started at number 10, but he can also play winger or full-back. He made 16 appearances last season. The Chiefs’ decision to let him go was considered as a mistake; failing to sign him in January is unlikely to go down well with the club’s fans.
According to The Citizen, Chiefs have failed to act on their supposed interest.
“There has never been any involvement from Chiefs regarding Puso. We’re pleased because he’s still a young player who is improving his game,” remarked a senior club official.
“He’s constantly monitored after his performance against FC Augsburg, which is why you hear about teams from outside looking at him,” a second source close to the player revealed.
Mshini’s Kaizer Chiefs career has reached a crossroads.
Meanwhile, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo awaits word on whether he will be sidelined again. The 25-year-old has made only one league appearance this season. The attacking midfielder had a successful 2020-2021 season, appearing in 25 league games and scoring four goals. However, season after season, those numbers have decreased. He made 16 league appearances in 2021-2022, followed by 13 and 12 in consecutive seasons. That declining trend will concern both the athlete and his manager. Ngcobo was a vital player of the last genuinely good Chiefs team, which reached the Caf Champions League final in 2021 but was defeated by Al Ahly. Has he peaked too early and failed to regain those heights? The numbers would indicate this.
Ngcobo’s longest layoff came in 2018-2019, when he was sidelined for 252 days (22 matches) due to an achilles tendon rupture. In 2022-2023, he missed 120 days (16 games) due to a muscular ailment. It’s an ongoing issue that he can’t seem to overcome.
Kaizer Chiefs
The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in its full magnificence. Image: Ernest Makhaya.