Former Kaizer Chiefs star reveals R1 million pay at Naturena

Kaizer Chiefs are widely known as one of the South African sides that pay the highest salaries and one of their ex-players have revealed how his stint at the club changed his life.

Chiefs have in recent years been rumoured to be paying close to R1 million per month to certain players, raising eyebrows among fans, but while that has never been confirmed, they remain one of the best-paying clubs in Africa.

Former midfielder Anthony Akumu has lifted the lid on how his stint at Naturena changed his life, explaining that signing for the club saw him get the biggest contract of his career to date.

Anthony Akumu challenges for the ball with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Photo – FKF Media

“Playing in South Africa still remains my most lucrative offer because they started with a monthly salary of Ksh1.5 million (R192,000),” Akumu told Kenyan outlet Mozzart Sport.

Chiefs offer too good to resist

“When my contract was about to run out in Zambia, Kaizer Chiefs approached me with an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Akumu signed for Chiefs in January 2020 after leaving Zesco United and he says while the Zambian giants wanted him to stay, it was a no brainer when the Glamour Boys tabled their offer.

“When Zesco got wind of my intention to move, they offered me Ksh500,000 (R63,756) per month, but they still could not match what the South African club were offering, and so I had to leave,” he added.

The Kenyan midfielder signed and a three-and-a-half-year deal at Chiefs and it included a mouth-watering signing-on fee. However, he did not see out the final year of his deal but he remains grateful that he joined the club.

Akumu’s R1 million pay at Naturena

“Every year, I received Ksh8 million (R1 million), half of which was paid in February and the other half in September,” he further stated.

Kaizer Chiefs players. — Kaizer Chiefs players heading to changing room after training. Photo; Kaizer Chiefs

“The money was paid only twice since by the third year, we agreed to part ways with months to go.”

Akumu put the money to good use as he is among Kenyan players who have invested heavily in real estate even as he continues with his career, which has since taken him to Japan, Iran and now in Lebanon.

The defensive midfielder made 47 appearances for Chiefs, scoring two goals, before he was released in July 2022 after being deemed surplus to requirements.