Kaizer Chiefs had to swallow their pride after signing Bradley Cross for a reported R3 million, a player they could have signed for free two years ago. Soccer Laduma highlights five players that were rejected by Amakhosi and became stars.
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Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
Kickoff previously broke the story that Maswanganyi was offered to Chiefs before he could train with SuperSport United, under assessment, after he left Portuguese lower division side Academica.
According to the publication, 'Tito' was offered to former Amakhosi head coach Arthur Zwane several times but he turned down the opportunity.
Matsatsantsa also almost did not sign the Tembisa-born midfielder, after he trained with United for eight months, with no guarantees under former coach Kaitano Tembo.
It is only when Gavin Hunt arrived in July 2022 that he made a decision that he should be signed by Matsatsantsa.
Olivier Toure (Stellenbosch)
Chiefs had Toure on trial in January 2017 but former head coach Steve Komphela was not impressed and they organized for his return back to his country after an assessment.
However, the Ivorian caused a stir after he did not use his flight ticket arranged by Chiefs, after he was reportedly snatched by Mamelodi Sundowns at the OR Tambo International.
Although former Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane also made a similar decision to Komphela, the Glamour Boys came calling for Toure, who is reportedly valued at R10 million, in the current transfer window.
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Bradley Cross
Cross initially came to the country as a free agent in 2022 after he left Newcastle United reserve side.
The 23-year-old was first offered to SuperSport United but United passed him on after an assessment.
The Johannesburg native landed at the Naturena village in November 2022 and trained with Chiefs.
Although Amakhosi contemplated signing him as a left-sided centre-back, they eventually settled for Thatayaone Ditlhokwe.
Siphiwe Tshabalala (unattached)
Tshabalala, before he could famously turn out for Chiefs in 2007, was actually in their academy ranks for five years.
However, the Glamour Boys did not see enough potential to promote him as an 18-year-old and 'Shabba' was given an opportunity in the professional ranks by Free State Stars two years after leaving Amakhosi.
The Soweto giants had to pay a substantial transfer fee to Ea Lla Koto to fend off interest from Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits for the services of their former academy player after Tshabalala spent three years in Bethlehem.
Mpho Makola (unattached)
It is one thing to miss a talented player on trial but Makola also spent four years at the Chiefs academy.
Amakhosi also, at 17, rejected the opportunity to promote 'Bibo'.
After spells at the likes of Bidvest Wits and Vaal University of Technology, Makola also got his professional breakthrough at Free State Stars in 2008, before he was signed by Orlando Pirates four years later.
