Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Thuso Phala has urged the Soweto giants to raid the Mamelodi Sundowns camp for players in their bid to return to their glory days after a lacklustre season by their standards.
Amakhosi finished 10th in the DStv Premiership in 2023/24, a first for the most-supported side in South Africa in the PSL era.
As a result, changes are imminent, with Nasreddine Nabi said to be the man to take charge of the bench next, succeeding Molefi Ntseki who was let go in October last year, only to be replaced by Cavin Johnson in the interim, who did not fare any better.
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What's more, a couple of Chiefs players have their contracts coming up for renewal at the end of June, among them the big-name duo of Keagan Dolly and Itumeleng Khune, who are thought to be on their last days at Naturena.
Speaking to his former SuperSport United teammate Michael Morton on the Mike Morton Talks Football podcast, the man nicknamed 'Phalafala' did not mince his words when asked about the status quo at the Soweto giants.
"It's about time they spend money," said Phala.
"Whichever coach they get… I'm not saying the players at Chiefs are bad players, [but] there is no go-to players when the chips are down. You and I, we were in a situation when we were once struggling and we were fighting for the Top Eight. senior players like you, myself, Dean [Furman], Clayton Daniels, Morgan [Gould], Yeye [Reneilwe Letsholonyane], we came together and we were like, 'Guys, it's up to us, we have to fight for the club to get in the Top Eight. We were having that group," he added.
"I don't see Chiefs… I can't even count five players who would have that. You need to have those players in your team, to carry your team, besides the coach, besides the management. It's not about the talent anymore, it's about the players around you that you have.
"And it's worse for a team like Kaizer Chiefs, you need to have those five big players who are national team players. And then when it comes national team selection, there's no Kaizer Chiefs player that's been suggested [for inclusion]. That says something."
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The 38-year-old says it's time for Chiefs to "go out there and spend money, even if it means go to [Mamelodi] Sundowns and buy those fringe players who are not playing regularly. Buy them out of contract, give them big contracts. They say money doesn't buy everything, but in this instance, money will buy them something.
"This building of young players, at Chiefs there is no time to build. A big team like Kaizer Chiefs can't afford to be out of the Top Eight, it's unacceptable and you know it affects a lot of fans and it affects South African football. I think Chiefs needs to be seen there.
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