When Kaizer Chiefs take on Ghanaian heavyweights Asante Kotoko SC in the upcoming second edition of the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban later this month, it will be a poignant moment for Amakhosi’s new signing, Ethan Chislett.

The talented 26-year-old midfielder was born in eThekwini, before emigrating with his family to the United Kingdom at age six, where he forged an impressive career in the lower tiers of the English Football League, most recently helping Port Vale to promotion into League One in 2024/25.

Now, he returns to his land of birth to get a first taste of domestic football Mzansi-style, having been snapped up by Chiefs leaving the Valiants at the end of his contract.

Speaking about possibly playing at Moses Mabhida, Chislett tells www.kaizerchiefs.com, “It will probably be surreal. It’s something I’ll look back on. Sometimes when you’re in the moment you don’t take everything in but afterwards it will fully sink in. I came to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup and watched a match in that stadium, so it’s going to be unreal for me, and my family, to play there.”

Chislett has all the attributes to become a vital cog in Amakhosi’s ambitious vision for the coming season, describing himself as a “versatile midfielder, can sit deep, play further forward and wide right, even striker a few times, although more in a ‘false 9’ role. I like to cut in from the left onto my right foot, but if I had to define my best position, it would be a ‘number 10’.”

He is also experienced enough to know that pretty football alone is not enough, noting “I appreciate creativity but the bottom line is you have to score goals to win games. I’d like to think I can rise to the occasion when called upon to make a decisive contribution for my team, and that’s what motivates me.”

Chislett is quick to acknowledge the hospitality he has received since arriving at his new ‘home’ at Naturena.

“Joining a new Club is never the easiest thing in the world. You have to adapt,” he admits, before adding, “But since I joined, everyone has been amazing and I am so happy here. This is why I love South Africa; everyone smiles. I’d like to say I am fitting in really well. It’s a credit to my new teammates and the management staff for welcoming me so warmly.”

Although the player concedes a lack of deep familiarity with his new surroundings and the culture of local football, he is hungry to absorb as much as he can as soon as possible, stating, “It’s a really exciting time for me and I am looking to attack these challenges head-on.”

The Toyota Cup will be played between Kaizer Chiefs and Asante Kotoko at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on Saturday, 26 July, and tickets are on sale for R80 and will be available at Shoprite, Checkers, and Usave outlets nationwide as well as online on www.kaizerchiefs.com, https://opentickets.co.za/ToyotaCup and https://computicket.com. Before the main game, there will be a curtain raiser between Kaizer Chiefs Legends and the Zulu Kingdom Legends, kicking of at midday.