Kaizer Chiefs this morning unveiled as many as eight new acquisitions ahead of the new soccer season.
Xulu’s signing has been hailed by the club as a homecoming for the former Mamelodi Sundowns defender. Chiefs had to make the ideal replacement for captain Tefu Mashamaite, who left the club after negotiations over a new contract collapsed.
Xulu is blessed with the qualities of a modern defender – quick, comfortable on the ball and can read the game well.
Xulu’s challenge, however, is how long will it take for him to be match fit because he has not been playing lately due to a foot injury and there is a dispute over his release by his former Russian club FC Rostov.
“I’m excited to be back home after I first arrived at Chiefs in 2008. I am going to repay the faith the club has in me as I haven’t played much in Russia,” said Xulu, who acrimoniously severed ties with FC Rostov last Friday following the intervention of Fifa.
Chiefs has never had a proven goalscorer in the mould of their former goal poachers such as Knowledge Musona and Collins Mbesuma.
Former AmaZulu striker Ndulula comes at a time when Amakhosi was relying on midfielders and defenders for goals.
Chiefs won last season’s championship with a solid composition in defence and their midfielder Mandla Masango finished as the team’s top scorer.
Ndulula is a goal poacher who always runs into good spaces at
the right time.
The former Free State Stars player can play anywhere in defence.
With Siboniso Gaxa and Tsepo Masilela already established at the right and left fullbacks respectively, Cardoso’s competition will come from Xulu, Mulumowandau Mathoho, Morgan Gould and Ivan Bukenya, who are already in contention for the central defence berths.
Cardoso has rejoined his former club coach Steve
Komphela at Chiefs, meaning the defender won’t have to try too hard to
impress.
The Togolese marksman comes with the reputation of being any coach’s dream for a striker. Abraw has good aerial strength and packs a powerful shot on either foot.
He is a hustler in the box and he is skilful with the ball
at his feet.
Ritchie has returned for his second spell at Chiefs. He is set to continue competing for the leftback position with Tsepo Masilela.
Ritchie based
his game on strong forays and he enjoyed regular game time at Bloemfontein
Celtic.
Baloyi was a shining light at Moroka Swallows last season – even the coaches handed him the captaincy armband.
A combative type of player, Baloyi can read the game well and has a knack for scoring special goals.
His return
will shake the likes of Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Willard Katsande into pulling
up their socks.