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Kaizer Chiefs
FOUR players whose futures are a doubt at Chiefs
Nov 25, 2024 - 10:16 am
By Siya Ndlela
Kaizer-Chiefs
Siyethemba Sithebe
The box-to-box midfield joined Amakhosi on a pre-contractual agreement in January 2022 and would later join up with his new teammates at the start of the 2022/23 season.
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Despite his bright start to life at Naturena, Sithebe's spell has been an uneventful one. The dreadlocked midfielder started all ten of Amakhosi's first ten matches last season but only featured four times in the following ten, starting on only one occasion.
The midfielder battled his way back into the line-up and started four of Amakhosi's last five matches of the season.
In the 23/24 campaign, Sithebe's fortunes have gone from bad to worse, with injuries, as well as the arrivals of Edson Castillo and Sibongiseni Mthethwa created stiff competition in the middle of the park.
Subsequently, Sithebe has made just an appearance for Amakhosi this season KickOff understands that all parties may soon consider an amicable exit for the 30-year-old in the upcoming window.
Sabelo Radebe
the former Kaizer Chiefs youth captain is yet to live up to the potential shown in his DDC days. Chiefs are believed to be open to selling the central midfielder, who is unlikely to nail a starting position in a stacked midfield that includes Castillo, Mthethwa, Yusuf Maart and rising star Samkelo Zwane.
Radebe has featured twice as a late substitute this season he appeared just three times last season.
Happy Mashiane
Once considered the club's long-term left-back solution, Mashiane has fallen so drastically down the pecking order that he has made just two appearances this season.
Still with plenty to offer, the 25-year-old's lack of game-time this season has surprised many and spurred reports of a possible exit.
However, like Radebe, not all is lost for Mashiane, with the two players believed to be determined to fight for their respective places.
Head coach Cavin Johnson has advised the two stars to 'raise' their game.
"I see a bright future. We had a few injuries and they had to put up a hand. For me, they put up a hand at the right moment. Perfectly." Johnson said after Chiefs' 1-0 win over Swallows.
"They are not that young anymore. They have to put up a hand a bit higher and not be subservient to the other guys."
Jasond Gonzalez
The 24-year-old centre forward's loan to Amakhosi continues to confuse sections of Chiefs supporters, with the striker having failed to find the back of the net in his seven appearances for Amakhosi this season.
With Ashely du Preez set to return to match fitness at the start of 2024, Gonzalez still has a chance to convince the Amakhosi faithful and the club's hierarchy of his worth.
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However, KickOff understands the Chiefs are still very much in the market for a striker, with the Soweto giants having struggled in front of the net this season, scoring 13 goals in 13 matches.
Meanwhile, Johnson has indicated that Chiefs will exercise a bit more patience with the Colombian striker, but it remains to be seen how long that will last if the strike's goal drought continues.
"I think if we give him a little bit more opportunity – I'll be able to train with him a little bit more.
"He will get used to what the Chiefs brand is all about – because South Americans don't worry about how big the brand is – as long as they play in front of people and when they do that, then they shine a bit better.
"Yes, as a striker, I think González has something in his feet and he will surprise a lot more when he starts understanding who we are as Africans and then we'll see a bit better he has very good feet, good body, he's getting better all the time."
Meanwhile, Chiefs return to action with a DStv Premiership clash against Polokwane City on Saturday.
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