After several players were linked to Kaizer Chiefs and some of them believed to have been close to signing for the club, the Siya crew finds out what's happening behind the scenes.
Many Chiefs fans were frustrated that their rivals Orlando Pirates were already announcing eight transfers last week, so what was holding up Amakhosi for most of their targets?
On Tuesday, Chiefs announced the signing of Nkanyiso Shinga at noon, their first confirmation this winter. There is two days remaining before Amakhosi leave for their pre-season training camp in the Netherlands. Further announcements are therefore imminent, and Soccer Laduma investigates if there's more to the delay for additional signings than the European tour.
READ: Pirates Looking To Add Ninth Signing?
At Naturena new arrivals have been announced in July in the past, but with new players unable to prepare early with the squad in Turkey last season (because they were signed late), the question is whether Chiefs should have moved faster with transfers this time?
On Tuesday morning, a high-ranking insider with knowledge of the club's procedures had indicated that the main reason why the new arrivals had not been announced is that they are waiting for the final approval from the team's Executive Chairman Dr. Kaizer Motaung Snr.
The insider added that there are players who are believed to have agreed personal terms and signed with the team, but the Chairman had to do due diligence before the football department can announce those players.
"Yes, it's a norm that the club announces new players in July most of the time but that's not the case at the moment. There are others which I can tell you that the club has already finalised signing while for others talks are in advanced stages but only when the Chairman puts on the stamp of approval then they can be announced. The buck stops with him and that's what is believed to be delaying the announcement. But I don't think supporters will wait much longer now. Very soon the Chairman will give an approval and a go ahead to announce the new signings, " the insider told Soccer Laduma.
This feedback from the Chiefs insider should calm any remaining questions from fans, as further transfer announcements should be coming up very soon.
Meanwhile, a confidant with access to decision-making information stated that even departures are not finalised by the club yet.
"It's believed that we should expect more departures as well. There could be two, three or even four, you never know, but apparently some players are believed to be leaving the team either before or after the trip to Europe and all that also awaits the Chairman's approval," the source told Soccer Laduma.
So far, Amakhosi have released players like Sabelo Radebe, Mduduzi Mdantsane, Edmilson Dove, and Njabulo Blom who returns to his parent club, St. Louis in the MLS.
READ: Sundowns Set To Wrap Up Latest Signing?
The Glamour Boys have been linked with several new signings which includes former Pirates duo of Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako, Mamelodi Sundowns striker Etiosa Ighodaro, SuperSport United midfielder Sphesihle Ndlovu (even though the agent denied talks), and England-based striker Ethan Chislett, to mention just a few.
Soccer Laduma contacted Chiefs for official comment on the situation but there was no response at the time of publishing this story.
With the Netherlands trip fast approaching, the coming hours could prove decisive in determining which other new faces will be on the plane as Amakhosi continue their rebuilding project under coach Nasreddine Nabi.
