Kaizer Chiefs face another setback this season, but some are questioning why they didn’t have a backup plan in place.
Dortley Out for the Season
Rushwin Dortley, the 22-year-old central defender, will miss the rest of the 2024-2025 season after needing knee surgery. The former Cape Town Spurs player has been a regular fixture in Amakhosi’s first team, appearing in 18 of their 20 Betway Premiership matches. His absence will be a huge blow to Chiefs, leaving them with a tough challenge to secure a top-eight finish in the league.
Questions About Rotation
Dortley, still in the early stages of his career, quickly became a key player for Chiefs, but his heavy involvement may have contributed to the injury. While we can’t say for certain if fewer matches would have prevented it, rotation is often a good strategy for young players to manage their workload and avoid fatigue-related injuries.
Risky Strategy with Salum
Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly interested in Azam FC’s 27-year-old midfielder, Feisal Salum, who has a buyout clause worth $10 million (R183 million). Chiefs could opt to pay the buyout clause, but a smarter move may be to wait until his contract runs down and sign him for free. However, this approach comes with its own risks, including the possibility of other clubs, like Sundowns, entering the race for his signature. If Chiefs decide to wait, they’ll also need to negotiate a hefty signing-on fee and match Salum’s wage demands, which could reach around R200k per month.
