The list of players who have moved directly from Mamelodi Sundowns to Kaizer Chiefs is not particularly long but it does carry some notable names.
With Gastón Sirino the latest addition to that list following his August 2024 move, attention has turned to the possibility of Sipho Mbule and Rivaldo Coetzee following a similar path.
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Sirino became the sixth player in the modern era to cross this high-profile divide after he was deemed surplus to requirements by Mamelodi Sundowns. The Uruguayan winger, who was once one of the most creative players in the league, left Chloorkop at the age of 33. Despite his advanced years, his technical quality added something to an evolving Chiefs squad.
Before Sirino, Colombian forward Leonardo Castro made the switch in January 2018. He joined Amakhosi at the age of 28. His arrival was quickly followed by that of Khama Billiat in July 2018. The Zimbabwean forward, once considered the most electric attacker in the country, also joined Chiefs as a free agent. The duo was expected to transform the Chiefs attack but inconsistencies and injuries affected their long-term impact.
The other significant example is Katlego Mphela who, in 2014, made the move from Chloorkop to Naturena twice in the same year. He joined on loan in January and then again in July after his contract situation changed.
At the time, Mphela was one of South Africa’s most well-known strikers and his arrival came with high expectations where his form didn't translate in Soweto as it did in Pretoria.
Ramahalwe Mphahlele also made the switch in 2016. At the age of 26, the defender left Sundowns and went on to become a key figure for Chiefs over several seasons, even captaining the team on occasion.
The small but significant group of players who have crossed this particular divide shows that while transfers between the two clubs are rare, and they are not impossible. With both Sipho Mbule and Rivaldo Coetzee now free agents, questions are being asked about whether Kaizer Chiefs should make a move.
Mbule, a talented playmaker, struggled to cement a place under multiple coaches at Sundowns, often making headlines for off-field concerns than football. Still only 27, he offers vision and technique that could be valuable in the right environment.
Coetzee, meanwhile, is 28 and was once seen as a future leader in the Bafana Bafana squad. Persistent injuries have interrupted his progress but he remains a composed and intelligent player when fit.
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Chiefs are currently rebuilding under a new technical direction and fans are demanding a stronger identity and squad depth. Signing either or both players would carry risk but also has an upside. History suggests that when the deal is right, Chiefs are not afraid to sign from Sundowns. The question now is whether they believe Mbule or Coetzee can succeed where others have fallen short.
