Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Amakhosi transfer blow, Ighodaro’s big season & Dove on McCarthy

The latest Kaizer Chiefs news, with Langelihle Phili’s agent speaking out on the transfer saga, Etiosa Ighodaro facing a defining 2026/27 campaign and Edmilson Dove commenting on the timing of Aden McCarthy’s departure.

Agent responds to Phili-Chiefs links

Langelihle Phili’s agent Glyn Binkin has responded to mounting reports linking the Stellenbosch FC winger with Kaizer Chiefs.

Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Binkin confirmed there is significant interest in his client both locally and from Europe, and that a move this transfer window is highly likely given Phili’s contract situation.

Binkin revealed that a departure from Stellenbosch is almost certain, with the 21-year-old having just one year remaining on his deal at the Cape Winelands club.

“Phili’s priority and focus is to go abroad and that’s what we are working on and Stellenbosch are aware of that,” Binkin said.

“If we don’t find a suitable option for him abroad then the player and his family will assess the various options that exist in this regard.”

Make-or-break season awaits Ighodaro

Etiosa Ighodaro heads into the 2026/27 campaign knowing his future at Kaizer Chiefs may depend on what happens over the next ten months.

The Nigerian striker endured a frustrating debut season at Naturena, totalling only 460 minutes on the pitch and managing a single goal — scored against AS Simba Kolwezi in the CAF Confederation Cup in October — with his last official appearance for the club coming in December 2025.

Ighodaro signed a two-year deal with an option for a third year, meaning this season will be decisive in determining whether that extension is triggered or whether the club parts ways with him.

The 25-year-old has found the net ten or more times in a season only once during his career, during his time at Chippa United. To justify his place at Naturena, he will need to surpass that benchmark.

Dove weighs in on McCarthy’s Chiefs exit

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove has offered his perspective on the timing of Aden McCarthy’s transfer to Azerbaijani side Sabah FK.

Dove, who left Naturena in June 2025 after three seasons and 56 appearances for the club, knows the Amakhosi environment well and has remained vocal on matters relating to the club since his departure.

McCarthy sealed his move to Sabah FK on a three-year deal, with a reported transfer fee in excess of R7 million — a significant return for an academy graduate.

The 22-year-old had an impressive breakthrough campaign with Amakhosi, making 33 appearances across all competitions, scoring twice, and playing a key role in the Glamour Boys’ third-place Betway Premiership finish and qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup.

“He is very talented, and for me, as I always told him, this is an opportunity for him to grow as a player. It’s an opportunity for him to grow as a human being, experience a different environment, a different style of football, if I may put it that way,” he told FARPost.