Since winning their last trophy in 2015, Kaizer Chiefs have gone into the market to sign players in an effort to end the drought, but few of them have made the desired impact at Naturena.
To avoid going back to each season, the focus will be on the players Amakhosi have signed in this campaign.
Before the start of the season, as usual, there was lots of excitement, as the Soweto giants unveiled the likes of Yusuf Maart, Siyethemba Sithebe, George Matlou, Dillon Solomons, Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Zitha Kwinika and Ashley Du Preez. Chiefs then announced the arrivals of Edmilson Dove and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana, who have both blown hot and cold in the colours of the Soweto giants.
While Maart, Sithebe and Du Preez have done well enough to play regularly and at times inspire Amakhosi to victory, the signings made have not made major improvements in their game under the technical team led by Arthur Zwane. Dove, for example, has been one of the key players at the back for Amakhosi, but has made a few costly mistakes which have seen Amakhosi drop points during the campaign.
I feel one of the reasons Mamelodi Sundowns have been able to succeed as a club is how they have been able to sign players and take their game to another level. There is no denying that Chiefs, Sundowns and Orlando Pirates sign players from the same pool, but what Sundowns are able to do is improve their players immensely and this shows in how many of them are playing a key role both domestically and on the continent.
A few examples are Neo Maema, Khuliso Mudau and Grant Kekana, who have all made major improvements from their previous clubs. These three players are just a few examples of how players have been able to improve their game immensely after joining Sundowns and the challenge for Zwane as Amakhosi look to compete for league honours next season, will be to ensure that the Soweto giants' new signings are not just average.
As things stand, Amakhosi have signed Mduduzi Mdantsane and Given Msimango for next season, with more acquisitions to be made in the coming months. But, it would mean absolutely nothing if the technical team cannot get the best out of them and take their game to new heights.
Msimango, in particular, is one of the best defenders in the league, but faces the danger of becoming ordinary if things do not improve at Chiefs. The player has the responsibility to ensure that he improves his game, but it goes without saying that the technical team has a big role to play in getting him to perform at an even higher level than he is at the moment for TS Galaxy.
If Zwane is able to get the best out of the club's new signings, as well as those who are already at the club, Chiefs could have a shot at challenging for the title.
