Following a massive exodus of players from Kaizer Chiefs in May, a raft of new signings was unveiled before a big media contingent at Naturena on Monday, 27 June 2016, that sees Amakhosi enter a new era with new energy in the 2016/17 season.

Kaizer Chiefs Football Manager Bobby Motaung, together with Marketing Director Jessica Motaung and coach Steve Komphela publicly introduced Keagan Buchanan, Sibusiso Khumalo, Enocent Mkhabela, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Emmanuel Letlotlo, Lewis Macha, Edmore Chirambadare and Michelle Katsvairo to a packed room as the latest Glamour Boys. The eight men will add further quality to the wealth of talent already in the squad. More personnel may well be recruited to ensure that the team is strong enough to challenge for the league title as well as the three trophies on offer before the start of the new season in August.

“It is no secret that we had an underwhelming 2015/16 season,” said Football Manager Motaung. “It was important for us to reflect and recognise that we deserve better. Accordingly, we made the necessary changes to ensure we bring the smiles back to the loyal Amakhosi faithful and our sponsors. We worked tirelessly with the technical team to identify and attract the best available talent in our quest to regain the titles and trophies we have become accustomed to winning.

“We are delighted to welcome all the new players to Kaizer Chiefs. They will inject new energy into the Amakhosi family,” he continued. “All these footballers are accomplished players with a wealth of top flight experience and we have every confidence that they will represent the club with great distinction as we endeavour to return to our rightful position in South African football.”

Ramahlwe Mphahlele (26) joins the club after a great season as captain of Mamelodi Sundowns. He has signed a three-year deal and will wear the #2 jersey. “Rama is a solid defender and possesses the type of leadership qualities that we require at the back. His experience as an international, and a league champion, will be of great benefit to us,” said Komphela.

Another 26-year-old defender, Sibusiso Khumalo, signed from SuperSport United as part of a swap deal with Matsatsantsa. He will don jersey #13. “The player comes highly recommended and it will be great to have him supporting Tsepo Masilela in the left-back position,” said Komphela. “The player is impressive not only in defence, but also gives us attacking options when going forward”.

Another player joining from Matsatsantsa is the 27-year-old midfielder Enocent Mkhabela. “We’ve been monitoring Enocent and are delighted that he agreed to join us. We look forward to his hard work in the middle of the park,” commented Komphela on his new #6.

Former Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder Keagan Buchanan penned a three-year contract and will play in jersey #10. Komphela has been watching the 25-year-old for a while – as far back as when he represented the country at junior level. “Keagan is the type of player any coach would like as he can defend and attack with great tenacity. He has all the attributes to make a top class midfielder and will add an extra dimension to our midfield.”

Following a dry spell in the goal scoring department, the team will be boosted by the infusion of some formidable firepower.

20-year-old sensation, Emmanuel Letlotlo, has been promoted from the club’s development structures. His nine goals earned him the top Goalscorer Award in the MDC last season and there are high hopes within the club that he has the ability to thrive at the highest level. He has been given the #21 shirt.

Zambian international forward, Lewis Macha (24), was acquired from Mozambican club, Ferroviário de Maputo, and will wear jersey #19. Komphela said: “We cast our eyes far and wide to ensure that we brought the kind of players we believe will quickly adjust to our style of play and are hungry for glory. We truly believe in Lewis’ talent.”

Completing the list of signings are Edmore Chirambadare (jersey #11) and Michelle Katsvairo (jersey #8) from Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn FC. The duo played a big role in helping Chicken Inn perform impressively in the CAF Champions League competition earlier this year. They both signed three-year deals.

“We’ve looked carefully at all four of our new attackers and we are happy with the quality they will add to the team this coming season. All the players are highly rated and keen to be part of our mission to reclaim our rightful place among the trophy hunters,” analysed Komphela. “The players are in shape and we will get to see them in action during the off-season when we play a number of competitive friendlies before the start of the season.”

Three new members of the club’s technical team were also introduced at the press briefing. Former Ghana international, John Paintsil replaces Doctor Khumalo as Komphela’s assistant coach, with the Amakhosi legend moving into a new position within the development structures. Paintsil, who represented the Black Stars 88 times and represented them at the 2010 Fifa World Cup, joins from Maritzburg United.

Brian Baloyi is joined by Alexandre Revoredo to assist with the goalkeeper coaching duties at all levels within the club. The Brazilian has held similar posts at SAFA and Orlando Pirates.

Revoredo’s compatriot, the physical trainer Marco Munhoz, completes the trio, coming in from Polokwane City with a mandate to get the players into the right shape and maintain a high level of performance for the duration of the season.

“We have also brought in some new blood on the technical side. These three gentlemen all have the footballing experience and credentials to improve the quality of our preparation in training and execution on the field,” said Mr. Motaung.

The Football Manager hinted at the prospect of more new signings ahead of new campaign: “We always have an eye open for any player we feel can add value to the team and if we come across anyone that fits the description and is available, we shall certainly be interested in entertaining the possibilities.”

Kaizer Chiefs’ Marketing Director Jessica Motaung closed the session by highlighting that the new players would be eligible to take part in the Carling Black Cup on 30 July, if voted for by the legions of supporters. “We have submitted their names to the organisers of the competition and the supporters can start voting for them to see the exciting talent we have amassed at Amakhosi.”