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Amakhosi’s new signings: Were they all good choices?

Kaizer Chiefs this morning unveiled as many as eight new acquisitions ahead of the new soccer season.

Daniel Mothowagae analyses the latest arrivals at Amakhosi, who also promoted two young players from the development ranks.

Siyanda Xulu
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Contract duration: Five years

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.

“We’ve got big shoes to fill [in the Chiefs’ defence],” he said in reference to the team’s impressive record of having conceded 14 goals in 30 league games last season.

Bongani Ndulula
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Contract duration: Three years

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.

“It was always my wish to play for Kaizer Chiefs,” said the former Orlando Pirates striker.

Daniel Cardoso
Age: 26
Position: Defender
Contract duration: Three years

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.


Camaldine Abraw
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Contract duration: Three years

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.


Keegan Ritchie
Age: 24
Position: defender
Contract duration: Two years

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.


Lucky Baloyi
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Contract duration: Returning from loan

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.

What do you think?
Are these players good signings for Chiefs? 

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