Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly eyeing a surprise move to bring former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Cassius Mailula back to South African football. But is this potential signing worth the gamble?
Mailula on the radar Now 23, Mailula is currently on loan at Moroccan giants Wydad AC from Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. While his stint in North America was underwhelming—just two goals in eight matches—his current form in Morocco tells a slightly better story, with three goals and six assists in 24 league games. Chiefs are considering him as a potential attacking reinforcement ahead of a massive Soweto Derby double-header.
Defensive woes piling up at Naturena While attention is on potential reinforcements up front, Kaizer Chiefs are dealing with serious defensive concerns. Injuries to key centre-backs Given Msimango, Rushwin Dortley, and Inacio Miguel have forced coach Nasreddine Nabi to field Zitha Kwinika and Bradley Cross as a makeshift duo. With full-backs Dillan Solomons and Happy Mashiane not inspiring much confidence and Edmilson Dove also sidelined, Chiefs are thin at the back ahead of critical clashes.
Soweto Derby showdowns approaching Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are set to lock horns twice in the space of a week: first in a crucial Betway Premiership clash on Saturday, 3 May, and then in the Nedbank Cup final on 10 May. Both matches kick off at 15:00, and both could define the trajectory of Chiefs’ season—and Nabi’s future at the club.
Another player on the way out? Meanwhile, goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari may be heading for the exit. Rwanda national team coach Adel Amrouche has confirmed that French clubs have expressed interest in the 25-year-old shot-stopper. Ntwari joined Chiefs from TS Galaxy in July 2024 but has struggled with injuries, managing just seven appearances.
