NEW-LOOK Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates?
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been tweaking and shaping their squads ahead of the 2024-2025 Betway Premiership campaign. Here’s a recap.
Gilberto and Van Rooyen headline Orlando Pirates’ transfers
Gilberto, 23, right winger, R11.1 million from Petro de Luanda
Deano van Rooyen, 27, right-back, R7 million from Stellenbosch
Thalente Mbatha, 24, central midfielder, R7 million from SuperSport
Selaelo Rasebotja, 23, right-sided midfielder, free transfer from SuperSport
Thuso Moleleki, 24, playmaker, free transfer from Orbit College
Azola Tshobeni, 22, attacking midfielder, returns from loan
Goodman Mosele, 24, central midfielder, returns from loan
Boitumelo Radiopane, 22, striker, returns from loan
Sphamandla Gumede, goalkeeper, returns from loan
Siyabonga Dladla, goalkeeper, promoted from the youth side
Mohau Nkota, right winger, promoted from the youth side
Deano Van Rooyen trains with Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium. Image: LorenzKO/X
Kaizer Chiefs transfer recap: Dortley is the real deal
Chiefs have invested heavily in their options at the back, while Nasreddine Nabi has hinted that the club are still actively seeking two attackers.
Rushwin Dortley – R10 million
Fiacre Ntwari – R5.5 million
Inacio Miguel – R4.5 million
Bradley Cross – R3.5 million
Bongani Sam – Free
Gaston Sirino – Free
Njabulo Blom – Season-long loan
TOTAL SPEND: R23.5 million
Blom is back. Image: Chiefs official website
Three at the back for Amakhosi?
Chiefs have invested heavily in new central defenders this window with R14.5 million spent on Rushwin Dortley (R10 million) and Inacio Miguel (R4.5 million). Both will expect to play a significant role in 2024-2025, but where does that leave existing defenders Spiwe Msimango and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe? Both are senior men and highly regarded within the walls of Naturena so even if the club switches to three at the back, one of these guys will be sitting on the bench every matchday.
Presumably, Chiefs could start with Msimango, Miguel and Ditlhokwe as their most experienced, plug-and-play central defensive trio at the start of the campaign. However, Rushwin Dortley was bought for his current ability, not just his potential, and he’s already part of the Bafana setup. Wing-backs in this system would be an issue though. Neither Reeve Frosler nor Dillan Solomons are cut out for a marauding role on the right-hand side, so Nabi might need to play a winger out of position. On the other flank, new boy Bradley Cross is perfect for a left-wing-back role.
Inacio Miguel is in the house. Image: @UnplayableZA / X
Betway Premiership fixtures
Meanwhile, Chiefs kick off the new 2024-2025 Betway Premiership campaign against Marumo Gallants. Fans can expect a few tough assignments in the opening weeks, including a meeting with champions Sundowns and a battle with last season’s seventh-place finishers SuperSport.
Marumo Gallants vs Chiefs – Saturday, 14 September, Toyota Stadium, 17:30
Chiefs vs Stellenbosch – Sunday, 22 September, FNB Stadium, 15:00
AmaZulu vs Chiefs – Wednesday, 25 September, King Zwelithini Stadium, 19:30
Chiefs vs Sundowns – Saturday, 28 September, FNB Stadium, 15:00
SuperSport United vs Chiefs – Saturday, 26 October, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 17:30
Kaizer Chiefs fans encapsulating the passion of a Soweto Derby. Image: BackpagePix
Will Pirates and Chiefs push Sundowns in the title race?
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Kaizer Chiefs finished the 2023-2024 league campaign in tenth position, their worst placing in the history of the DStv Premiership. Their last league title came back in 2015, their most recent piece of major silverware. They begin the new 2024-2025 Betway Premiership campaign away to Marumo Gallants on 14 September.
