With reports linking two former Orlando Pirates defenders Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako to Kaizer Chiefs, questions have emerged about the driving force behind these potential acquisitions.
A Naturena insider with knowledge about recruitment decisions has indicated that it's the management and the scouting team that believes that the two players could be good additions to the team.
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The insider with intimate knowledge of internal discussions added that it's believed coach Nasreddine Nabi was not part of the group who recommended that the two players should be signed, as the coach has his own players targeted in those positions.
"It's believed that the coach was not part of interest in those two players. Apparently, the coach was looking at three right backs, in Richards Bay defender Lwandile Mabuya, Cape Town Spurs' Lungelo Bhengu and Mhleli Mabuza who had trials at the club in May. And at left back the coach's main interest was Fawaaz Basadien (Stellies) and Mohamed Hussein from Simba SC in Tanzania. But apparently the scouts and management are believed to have liked Monyane and Mako. So, we will see what will happen in the pre-season whether the coach will still go for his targets or they will settle for the two former Orlando Pirates players," the insider told Soccer Laduma.
Meanwhile, an insider with information on Chiefs' pre-season planning meetings stated how current squad preparations may affect upcoming transfers.
"The trip to Holland will be the final stage of the signings including the defenders. At the moment the players are expected at the Village today (Friday, 20 June) that's when most of the things will be revealed regarding incoming players and those going to Holland as Visas will be applied for from Monday," the second insider told the Siya crew.
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The apparent disconnect between management's preferred targets and Nabi's wishlist raises interesting questions about the power dynamics common in South African football. The coming days at the Chiefs Village could prove decisive in determining whether the club pursues the Pirates-connected options. With continental football on the horizon, getting this balancing act right could be crucial to Chiefs' ambitions for the upcoming season.
Soccer Laduma contacted Chiefs for comment but there was no response at the time of publishing this story.
No matter what happens, it is also possible that in time these two potential transfers, Monyane and Mako could convince Nabi of their potential to be good first team players for Amakhosi.
