As Kaizer Chiefs wrap up yet another underwhelming Betway Premiership campaign, the end-of-season review will no doubt leave a sour taste—especially for those tasked with putting the ball in the back of the net. The 2024/25 season was supposed to be a turning point for Amakhosi, a time for rebuilding with purpose, but one major issue has continued to haunt the club: a lack of goals from the frontline.
For a team with the stature and history of Kaizer Chiefs, finishing outside the top three is already a bitter pill to swallow. But doing so while displaying one of the league’s weakest attacking outputs has sparked serious questions about the club’s direction and recruitment, particularly in the forward department.
A Blunt Attack
Chiefs’ forwards, led by the likes of Ranga Chivaviro and Ashley du Preez, failed to deliver consistently. Chivaviro, who was expected to be the leading man after joining with much promise, struggled to find rhythm and netted only a handful of goals across all competitions. Du Preez, though showing glimpses of brilliance, often lacked the composure and killer instinct required at this level.
Tashreeq Morris, another experienced addition to the squad, also failed to justify his presence with a series of underwhelming performances. Injuries, form, and tactical confusion may have played a part, but the bottom line is that the club’s strikers did not rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Chiefs ended the season with one of the lowest goals-per-game ratios among the top ten teams in the DStv Premiership. While their defense held firm at times, the lack of bite upfront often turned potential victories into frustrating draws or narrow defeats. This inability to convert chances consistently has not only cost them points but has also chipped away at the team’s confidence and fan morale.
The System or the Strikers?
There’s a growing debate among analysts and supporters: are the forwards to blame, or is the tactical setup limiting their potential? Under interim coaches and shifting game plans, Chiefs never quite found a cohesive attacking identity. The absence of a creative midfield link also meant the strikers were often left isolated or forced to drop too deep.
Still, some critics argue that elite strikers create their own chances—and that those wearing the gold and black have simply not been up to the standard expected at Naturena.
What Next?
With the club expected to make sweeping changes ahead of the new season—including the likely arrival of a new permanent head coach—fans are calling for a complete overhaul of the attack. Chiefs have already been linked with several local and international strikers, as well as attacking midfielders who could reignite their goal-scoring engine.
However, questions remain: Will the new recruits understand the pressure that comes with playing for one of Africa’s most supported clubs? And will management finally find the right blend of players and system to restore Chiefs to their former glory?
Until then, the season review will serve as a painful reminder of how far the once-feared Amakhosi frontline has fallen—and how urgent the need for change has become.
