New Kaizer Chiefs signing Keagan Buchanan was handed the famous No.10 jersey at Naturena on Monday afternoon, seeing him join a list of illustrious names that have sported the famous kit. Can you remember who else did so?
Players with a special talent usually wear the No. 10 jersey, and world stars such as Pele, Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi have donned the number, while in South Africa the jersey has a special significance…
Jomo Sono, Shoes Moshoeu and Steven Pienaar have all worn the number on their backs for their country, and at Chiefs, there is a new man who will carry the responsibility of the famous number.
Over the years, with exception of a few, Chiefs' No. 10s have failed to produce the goods. Let's take a look which Amakhosi players have donned this jersey.
Isaac "Shakes" Kungwane
The late Shakes was a fan favourite and entertained the fans with his ball distribution skills, seeing him look in one direction and pass the ball in the opposite route. The bulky player also made a few appearances for Bafana Bafana, but some fans feel he was let down by weight problems.
Tony Ilodigiwe
The Nigerian striker failed to live up to expectations at Amakhosi, and it's puzzling how he ended up wearing this special jersey at a team of Chiefs' magnitude.
Stanton "Stiga" Fredericks
Fredericks played the best football of his career at Kaizer Chiefs. The Wits University product was a marvel to watch while at the Glamour Boys, and he occasionally wore the jersey for Bafana Bafana too. One game that comes to mind was the friendly international against England in 2003, in which Fredericks gave a Man of the Match performance. On that particular night in Durban, his display befitted the coveted No. 10.
Michael Nkambule
Once touted as the future of South African football, "Zizou" came through the Chiefs youth ranks and had a stint in France before returning to Naturena. Blessed with an abundance of skill, Nkambule was given the illustrious number at Chiefs, but the diminutive midfielder never reached the heights he was destined for due to limited game time. He eventually left Amakhosi and played for Black Leopards. Today, the former youth international finds himself having drifted off into the football wilderness.
Mthokozisi Yende
A star of the University of Pretoria side that stunned Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup in 2009, Yende formed a great partnership with Andile Jali in the heart of Tuks' midfield. Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates signed both players respectively soon afterwards, and while Jali took to his new surroundings like a duck to water, Yende battled for game time, and never really lived up to the jersey number on his back.
Siyabonga Nkosi
Nkosi honed his skills in Orlando Pirates' development structures, but it was at Bloemfontein Celtic where he set the scene alight. Following a great season with Phunya Sele Sele, Kaizer Chiefs snatched him up, before he moved on to ply his trade in the German Bundesliga.
In his second spell at Naturena, Nkosi, who was now past his football prime, was handed the No. 10 jersey. Although he did show some glimpses of brilliance, he didn't really contribute much to the hype that is globally attached to the jersey.
Most of the No. 10s at Chiefs have failed to live up to expectations. Do you think Keagan Buchanan is the right man for the jersey?
