Kaizer Chiefs' pursuit of striking reinforcements has become clearer as management finds itself constrained by regulations that could influence them to alter their transfer strategy.
The limitations have already impacted negotiations for high-profile targets, with documentation issues becoming a crucial factor in determining which players can realistically be pursued.
As much as Amakhosi are still looking at signing a new striker before the close of the transfer window, they have now specified a factor in terms of what kind of striker they are looking for, based on those limitations.
Insiders close to the club who are in the know and privy to information have indicated that management has stressed the importance of signing a local striker so that they don't exhaust their one remaining foreign spot at this stage.
Currently, Chiefs have four foreign spots covered after Ethan Chislett finally received his South African documentation, having been born in Durban before moving to England. The four foreign players are Fiacre Ntwari, Inacio Miguel, Makabi Lilepo and Flavio Silva. This means while Amakhosi prefer to bring in a local striker, they could still sign a foreigner if such a player meets all their requirements.
"The main aim is to sign a local striker or any striker who can be registered as a local. That's why it's believed that the deal for Etiosa Ighodaro has taken long as he is believed to be waiting for his Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) so that he can be registered as a local. Same with the Dzenan Zajmovic from TS Galaxy. He doesn't qualify for the local spot. So now the main target is believed to be a local striker," the source told Soccer Laduma.
Meanwhile, a second insider stated that with one foreign spot open, the club will not rush into signing a foreigner until they find the right player.
"Now it's about bringing in a player who could bring something different from what the club currently has. So if that opportunity comes by, the team scouts, then the technical team and management will look at the right, suitable player and sign him. But the chances are not completely closed," the second source told the Siya crew.
Kaizer Chiefs have already signed six new players, including former Orlando Pirates duo Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane, Nkanyiso Shinga, Sphesihle Ndlovu, Chislett and Silva.
Soccer Laduma contacted Chiefs for comment on the situation but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
Amakhosi don't have to use the final foreign spot, and it remains to be seen if they are keeping that spot open for a different kind of target. It means a striker target would have to be an outstanding player for Chiefs to make an exception to take up that final foreign spot.
Otherwise, even without a big, new striker signing, Chiefs started their campaign with an outstanding away result, beating Stellenbosch FC 2-0 in the Western Cape on the weekend.
