Kaizer Chiefs: 5 players living on borrowed time at Naturena

The transfer window in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) still has almost a month before it shuts on September 22 and Kaizer Chiefs have players who risk being shipped out before then.

While the season is up and running, the transfer speculation and activities will continue with Chiefs already bringing in five players in goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, defender Thabo Moloisane, midfielder Adolf Mtasingwa as well as attackers Langelihle Phili and Faiz Abrahams.

While coach Fernando da Cruz is still hoping for more incomings, there are some who could be heading out given their circumstances at the club.

Thabo Cele

One player who already knows he has no future at Chiefs is midfielder Thabo Cele who Da Cruz told to find another club as soon as he came in.

However, one month later, Cele is still at Chiefs with no solution yet for him. The midfielder, who joined Chiefs in January 2025, is believed to favour a return to Europe, having previously played in Portugal and Russia.

Cele was not part of Chiefs pre-season squad in Spain and was training alone until recently when it has been reported that he has joined the rest but that does not change the fact that Da Cruz does not want him.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo

The midfielder faces a defining period at Naturena not just because of added competition but because he has been in and out of the team due to injuries and poor form.

Ngcobo has made 129 appearances for Chiefs with 2020-21 his best season with 25 games, before 16, 13, 12, 11 and 16 outings in his next campaigns when injuries limited him.

He was among the key players in the first half of last season but has fallen down the pecking order. This season, Da Cruz has started him in one game, the MTN8 quarter-final loss to Golden arrows, when he played 63 minutes, while he got 12 minutes in the league opener against Kruger United.

With Mtasingwa added to a midfield that has Lebohang Maboe and Sibongiseni Mthethwa doing well, Siphesihle Ndlovu impressing and youngster Thulani Mabaso also angling for opportunities, Ngcobo could find himself offloaded.

Nkanyiso Shinga

What a mysterious story Nkanyiso Shinga has been at Chiefs! The left-back joined Amakhosi ahead of last season but waited until March 2026 to make his debut.

That was the only game he has played for Chiefs as he would suffer an injury thereafter. Having also arrived at the club with fitness issues, Chiefs might be forced to cut their losses on the defender.

Etiosa Ighodaro

The Nigerian striker is another one who joined Chiefs ahead of last season but has not been available for the Glamour Boys due to injuries.

Ighodaro has played twice this season, starting the 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United, and getting 27 minutes against Arrows in the MTN8, but he was only available for seven minutes last season and scored one goal.

With an array of centre-forward at Chiefs among them Wandile Duba, Flavio da Silva, Khanyisa Mayo, Luke Baartman and youngster Naledi Hlongwane, Ighodaro faces a defining period if he cannot hit the ground running and also prove his fitness.

Thulani Mabaso

The Kaizer Chiefs academy graduate is on this list not because of his form, fitness or quality issues but based on the fact that he is a victim of circumstances.

Mabaso, who made his senior team debut last season and played seven games, faces stiff competition for places even if Chiefs will challenge in four competitions.

The midfielder will likely get limited opportunities this season and might be served well going out on loan unless he receives guarantees from Da Cruz or if either Cele or Ngcobo departs.