Kaizer Chiefs chase goal-scoring defender but there’s competition

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Kaizer Chiefs want to improve their defensive options in January but Orlando Pirates are ready to rain on their parade.

Thabang Matuludi is a top prospect in South Africa

Kaizer Chiefs were in pole position to sign 25-year-old Thabang Matuludi in the winter. The Polokwane man has shown a sense of adventure from the right-back position this season, scoring twice and assisting once in the opening six games of the new Betway Premiership season. His buccaneering ways make him a target for the country’s top sides.

“Chiefs were leading the race to sign him, and unfortunately for him, the move didn’t happen before the last transfer window closed,” an insider told Citizen.

“There have been enquiries about him and I’m told Orlando Pirates are also monitoring the situation. Remember Kaizer Chiefs wanted to also get his teammate Oswin Appollis but that move also didn’t happen because the City chairman is a hard man to convince into selling.”

Chiefs looking to improve on their existing options

Amakhosi have struggled with injuries in recent weeks. Dillan Solomons, usually the first-choice right back, is out long-term and hasn’t played a single minute in the league this season. Reeve Frosler has been the man to deputise, but he hardly offers enterprise and adventure in the final third. It appears that Matuludi would be an upgrade on both of these players, and he’s also the youngest of the three.

Richards Bay offers the chance for three points

Chiefs’ next meaningful action is a midweek clash with Richards Bay who visits the FNB Stadium on Wednesday 27 November. Bay are the lowest scorers in the entire division with just a solitary goal from their seven league outings. However, they would leapfrog their more illustrious opponents on the league table with a win. Bay’s matches this season have been low-scoring affairs; they’ve also failed to score in each of their last six outings. Amakhosi are winless in their last three league matches.

The Glamour Boys have five league fixtures left in the calendar year 2024. How many points can Nabi’s men capture in this sequence?

  • Chiefs vs Richards Bay: Wednesday 27 Nov, 19:30
  • Chiefs vs Royal AM: Saturday 30 Nov, 17:30
  • Polokwane vs Chiefs: Sunday 08 Dec, 15:30
  • TS Galaxy vs Chiefs: Monday 16 Dec, 15:30
  • Chiefs vs Chippa: Sunday 29 December, 17:30
Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr and head coach Nasreddine Nabi. Image: kcofficial/Instagram

Will Chiefs land Matuludi in January?

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