As the clock ticks toward pre-season preparations, Kaizer Chiefs continue their wide-ranging talent search with a surprising European-based target emerging from their own historical pipeline.
A Siya source embedded within Amakhosi has indicated that the club is now targeting one of their former products who is currently plying his trade in Europe.
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The Naturena insider with connections to both the technical team and management stated that Amakhosi are believed to be monitoring the situation with midfielder Mihlali Mayambela, with the player understood to also want to return to the club.
"From what we know is that Mihlali (Mayambela) is apparently also interested in returning home and to play in the PSL. The people at Kaizer Chiefs know him very well as he was in their youth development structures before. They know what he can bring to the team in terms of attacking options. For now it is believed that it's a recommendation from the football department and the scouting and recruiting department as well. They are happy with him," the insider told the Siya crew.
A second insider, with access to Chiefs' transfer priority list stated that with Amakhosi are believed to be struggling to get their preferred right winger Oswin Appollis, they are looking at Mayambela as the next best option at the moment.
"They have been struggling to get (Oswin) Appollis and they don't want to have another season where they could not get the players they want on time and struggle in the league again. Apparently, since they are going to be competing in Africa they want to have a strong, well-balanced team. So it's believed that if they can't get Appollis they would rather have Mayambela. Afterall they are both Bafana Bafana wingers," the second insider revealed.
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The 28-year-old Mayambela has spent most of his senior playing days in Europe where this past season he was with Aris Limassol in Cyprus and played many games, also scoring goals. To add to his credentials, he has many Bafana Bafana caps and participated at the last Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.
Soccer Laduma contacted Chiefs for comment on the issue but there was no official response at the time of preparing this story.
The potential homecoming of Mayambela represents an intriguing option for Chiefs as they look to bolster their attacking options. Having developed his game in European competitions, the winger would bring a different dimension to Amakhosi's play, along with valuable continental experience that could prove crucial for their CAF ambitions.
The emotional connection of returning to his development club could also provide extra motivation for a player entering his prime years. While reportedly positioned as an alternative to Appollis, Mayambela's potential acquisition would still represent a significant upgrade to Chiefs' current wide options.
