Zitha Kwinika: Kaizer Chiefs coaches make decision on defender’s future

Kaizer Chiefs coaches have reportedly made up their minds over the future of defender Zitha Kwinika.

Kwinika is coming to the end of his contract at the club, having returned in 2022, and has become a key member of the squad this season.

Since recovering from an injury that limited his appearances last season, Kwinika has so far played 21 games this season and weighed in with one goal, being the winner against Al Masry, in the CAF Confederation Cup last Sunday.

Kaizer Chiefs players celebrate a goal against Al Masry. Photo Kaizer Chiefs

With his rise to prominence, Chiefs are faced with a decision at the end of the season for a player who is 32 but according to SABC presenter Mazola Molefe, coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef want the club to hand the defender a new deal.

Doctor Khumalo wants Kwinika to stay

“He is at the end of his current contract at Kaizer Chiefs and I am told the coaches are lobbying for him to get a renewal,” Molefe said on SABC’s Soccer Zone on Monday.

Kwinika came through the youth ranks at Chiefs with club legend Doctor Khumalo among those who coached him as a junior and he has given his blessings to a new deal for the centre-back.

🔴 🗞️ Soccer Zone

– Steenbok dissects Badela sacking ⛔️
– Chiefs coaches lobby for Zitha Kwinika to get contract renewal ✅

…and
Downs suspend analyst Mario Masha amid allegations of leaking information to former coach Rulani Mokwena 😮 pic.twitter.com/q8s4sNdYZ5
— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) February 9, 2026

The Meadowlands-born defender returned to Chiefs in 2022 from Stellenbosch FC, where he had spent two years, having also played for the now defunct Bidvest Wits and Chippa United.

Kwinika recently earned praise from Kaze, who compared him to former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.

“Last season, I was asked which player I would bring to a war if I have to choose one, I said Zitha Kwinika,” Kaze said last week as quoted by KickOff.

Zitha Kwinika Kaizer Chiefs — Image – Chiefs

Chiefs star compared to Ivorian legend

“There’s a story, a player named Kolo Toure, he went to Arsenal for trial, first ball, he went on with two legs, almost broke the legs of Thierry Henry. Secondly, another play, he double-tackles Dennis Bergkamp, the two best players of Arsenal.

“Everyone was convinced that this player won’t be signed because he almost broke the legs of two best players of the team.

Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika and Marumo Gallants midfielder Philip Ndolondlo. Photo Kaizer Chiefs

“Arsene Wenger said, after that, ‘I’m gonna sign him because he has the personality, the character and everything else, I will teach him’, that’s Zitha Kwinika.”

Kwinika will play a huge part in Chiefs’ next game, a tough trip to Egypt, where they will face Zamalek in their final group stage match of the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday, as he is currently the only fully fit central defender with Miguel Inacio and Bradley Cross injured, Aden McCarthy suspended, while Given Msimango is still being eased back after returning from a long-term injury.