Nasreddine Nabi’s intentions to bring up to three foreign players ahead of next season at Kaizer Chiefs has set the club on course for another reshuffling of their quota.
Chiefs ended the season with Glody Makabi Lilepo (Congolese), Inacio Miguel (Angolan Portuguese), Fiacre Ntwari (Rwandan), Edmilson Dove (Mozambican), and Edson Castillo (Venezuelan).
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Out of the five players who ended the season registered on a foreign entry, only Lilepo and Miguel are guaranteed their places.
Lilepo was brought in during the January transfer window and has proven his worth with six goals playing from the wing.
The Congolese is expected to have a bigger impact next season once he has completed pre-season with the club.
Then with Miguel, his experience and command at the back will be called upon at the back.
He started his first season in difficult circumstances as he was suspended twice within his first six games due to an accumulation of four yellow cards plus a red card.
The Angolan Portuguese scored four goals in 28 appearances – a healthy return for a central defender.
Dove is out of contract at the end of June and walking in uncertainty again just like he did last season.
The club has identified left-back options, including Aphiwe Baliti of SuperSport United, to plug that hole.
There is no doubting Dove’s commitment but for the sake of opening foreign space then he will be sacrificed.
His handlers have been exploring the Middle East market while there are guaranteed options back home in Mozambique.
Ntwari is standing on the edge with Nasreddine Nabi preferring a new goalkeeper of his choice.
The Rwandan will not be allowed to stay as a third choice, but his exit will come with a transfer fee being paid.
There have been efforts made to move him to Europe.
With the number of foreign players being targeted by Nabi, Castillo will suddenly find himself on the fence.
Castillo was disturbed by an injury last season and only played 64 minutes over four appearances since he came back in March.
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He will be in the last year of his contract at Chiefs with effect from July 1.
Nabi has already travelled to Tanzania where some of his targets are based.
Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
