Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Amakhosi battled Sundowns for star, transfer news, & more

The latest Kaizer Chiefs news in the last 24 hours, including how the club failed to land a talented attacker, what Amakhosi are missing ahead of the new season and more.

Chiefs were battling for Sundowns winger

Thapelo Maseko’s childhood coach at Vaal Juventus Isaac Mphashane has opened up about the striker’s journey to the professional ranks, saying Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns wanted to sign him as a young boy.

“There was a tournament at VUT a school tournament, there were scouts there,” Mphashane told Sport Night Amplified With Andile.

“[Kaizer] Chiefs they were fighting for Thapelo, Sundowns they were looking to sign Thapelo, even SuperSport."

Thapelo Maseko’s childhood coach at Vaal Juventus Isaac Mphashane has opened up about the striker’s journey to the professional ranks, saying Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi… pic.twitter.com/TfQVEgkrJS
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) July 19, 2026

“[Kaizer] Chiefs they were fighting for Thapelo, Sundowns they were looking to sign Thapelo, even SuperSport.

“But we sat down with the parents I said to the parents, ‘okay for my view I just want to take this boy to SuperSport because Sundowns and Chiefs are big teams and they are buying players from outside. So, let’s be patient to take this boy to SuperSport and we see the progress from there’.

“Then he played for U17 when he arrived there and he played only two games. I still remember, he played only two games. After that they promoted him to U19. After 19 he went to DDC, even Stan Mathews was so happy to have that player.

Bafana winger Thapelo Maseko was a target of Kaizer Chiefs when he burst onto the scene. — Thapelo Maseko playing for Bafana at the World Cup. Image: Imago

“Thapelo was nine years old when he played for Juventus,” added Mphashane.

“You know sometimes after a training session for the senior team these boys would take the ball and play around. Then I noticed something that there is a technique here. I called him and asked him which team he was playing for. He said he doesn’t have a team.

“I said to him tomorrow he must come to the training session I just want to check something. The boy played U13, he was nine years almost fours playing for the U13. But when he graduated to U15 he was so super and we were playing in the LFA League,” he concluded.

What CHiefs are missing

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Kenny Niemach has identified a leadership void and lack of a game-changer as what he says Amakhosi need

The Soweto giants are captained by goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, who is deputised by centre-backs Zitha Kwinika and Inacio Miguel. But Niemach, who also played for Sundowns, has come in to suggest that, beyond transfer business, Da Cruz needs a natural leader in his squad, plus what he calls an “X-factor player.”

“Chiefs have always had a player with an X-factor like Doctor Khumalo. Now, who is the X-factor? It’s difficult to point out,” Niemach told FARPost.

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Kenny Niemach has identified a leadership void and lack of a game-changer as what he says Amakhosi need.#FARPost | By @MG_Madyira https://t.co/jsTCjszAII
— FARPost (@FARPostZA) July 19, 2026

“I would also give an example of Roger Feutmba, who was a big personality at Sundowns, where I played with him. He was someone whom the whole team looked up to and relied upon. That kind of player is needed at Chiefs.

“Chiefs need leadership. The coach needs to identify players who can carry the team. I think they lack leadership and an X-factor player, as I said.

Fernando Da Cruz - Image: Kaizer Chiefs — Fernando Da Cruz – Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“Someone who is willing to take responsibility, to say guys lets come together, but I’m willing to take everything that comes our way. Now, that’s responsibility. They need someone to be the team’s driving force. This is what’s lacking at Chiefs.

“As you know, they have a new coach. Now, what happens is that the coach reviews past performances, sees weaknesses and tries to rectify them. He looked at the defence and said I need a new central defender,” Niemach went on.

“He then looked at the goalkeeping department and said I need a goalkeeper. Maybe that explains his signings so far. The coach now needs to play lots of games to identify areas where he needs to fix.

“Chiefs need to play in the [CAF] Champions League and be up there with Sundowns and Pirates. There is a lot of work the coach needs to do. Let us not judge him as yet. Let us see his influence on the team. Every coach has a way he wants to play.

“I think they need a winger and maybe an attacking midfielder. Chiefs are a team that is known to play the ball, short passes, controls the game, they are a possession team. You must have technically gifted players if you want to dictate the tempo and truly control the game,” he concluded.