Chiefs to launch fresh striker hunt?

With just 19 league goals scored this season, Kaizer Chiefs' troubles in finding the back of the net are understood to have made the signing of a striker one of club’s major priorities in the next transfer window.

Amakhosi have failed to find the back for the net in their last two matches, and even more worryingly, have scored just seven times in the last 10 games. 

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They’ve managed to score twice in a single match on just one occasion in their last 10 outings – a 3-2 defeat to rivals Orlando Pirates.

The disparity of the situation has prompted the management to earmark the striking position as one in need of desperate attention possibly even before the end of the season, according to insiders.

"The club will be looking for a striker in the market," a source told KickOff.

"They aren’t happy at all with the contribution from the attacking players recently and it’s a concern for the management."

Chiefs strikers so far have all failed to make a good account of themselves.

Ranga Chivaviro - signed at the start for the season on the back of an impressive campaign that saw him score 17 goals across all competitions for Marumo Gallants – has scored just twice for Chiefs in 17 appearances.

Jasond Gonzalez, signed on a season-long loan as a replacement for Caleb Bimenyimana, has fared far worse, failing to find the back of the net in his 12 appearances. It is now internally conceded that the striker's stay in Naturena will not be beyond this season.

In fact, among the club’s number nines, only Ashley du Preez has somewhat looked the part. The speedy attacker has already scored five times and contributed three assists in his 20 appearances – still low numbers for a club of Chiefs' stature, but an improved showing compared to the rest.

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Should Amakhosi choose to recruit before the end of the season, it would not be the first time the side chose to do their transfer business early.

Last season, after showing defensive frailty, Chiefs moved swiftly to secure the services of SuperSport United' Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and wrapped up the signing of TS Galaxy’s Given Msimango by mid-April last season.

While it still remains unconfirmed which names Chiefs have shortlisted for the striker’s role, some attacking targets are already known.

This includes Polokwane City’s Oswin Appollis, who, like du Preez, has scored five times this season from his 22 appearances.

Khanyisa Mayo of Cape Town City FC during the DStv Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City FC at Orlando Stadium on August 29, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Gallo Images Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Chiefs could also look to revisit their interest in Cape Town City’s Khanyisa Mayo – although City were unwilling to sell before the start of the 22/23 season.

Despite owner John Comitis slapping a R38 million price tag on the lethal striker, realistically, Mayo is unlikely to be sold at that hefty price wherever he ends up.

As previously done before, Chiefs are also expected to scour the African continent in their search for a goal scorer.

For now, though, Amakhosi will be aiming to find their scoring boots when they take on Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday.

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