Kaizer Chiefs may have to look elsewhere after Manqoba Mngqithi suggests there is no deal on the table. Do you think the player should leave

Kaizer Chiefs are attempting to lure the services of Sphelele Mkhulise.

The highly rated 28-year-old has had a slow start to the year, featuring seven times off the bench as he struggles to solidify a starting spot.

His lack of playing time has prompted Kaizer Chiefs to monitor the situation as they look for an immediate replacement for injured Edson Castillo: “Kaizer Chiefs are targeting Mkhulise,” an anonymous source confirmed.

“He’s not playing much so he might be open to a new challenge, especially under [coach] Nabi. Seeing how well [Gastón] Sirino is doing might be key in luring him.”

Not on Mngqithi’s watch

An abrupt “no chance” was Manqoba Mngqithi’s answer when asked if Mkhulise would be leaving this January.

“That’s something we are trying to inspire in him because he is that player during rondo that would show how poor other people are with technique. Because technically, he is unbelievable,” he continued.

“Personally, he has not arrived where I think he can arrive. He is one player I’ve felt has a realistic chance of going overseas. That was even before Percy [Tau] went overseas. I believe, technically, he takes care of the ball better than the so called big players.

“He is very good technically, but if you are an offensive player and your numbers don’t count in goals scored and assists, assisting the assist, box entries, high intensity of running into the box…if it does not show in your metrics, then the question is what makes you an offensive player than being a defensive player? Those are the things I have personally spoken to him about that.”

However little Mkhulise has played, Mngqithi is adamant his midfielder stay’s and fight’s for his position, implying that he rates the Pietermaritzburg native but feels that he hasn’t unlocked his true potential.

This may be enough to deter Kaizer Chiefs from pursuing the deal.

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Kaizer Chiefs news: Mayo, Zungu, Olunga, Nguse, Appollis

Kaizer Chiefs are the talk of the town in the transfer rumour pages as per usual. Is Khanyisa Mayo making advances?

Mayo reveals admiration for Amakhosi

26-year-old Khanyisa Mayo wasn’t a million miles away from becoming a Chiefs player in the winter before eventually making the switch to Algerian side Belouizdad. The former Cape Town City man was reportedly less than an hour away from becoming a Glamour Boy and he’s not shutting the door on a move in the future. Mayo notched double figures for goals in each of his last two Betway Premiership campaigns. However, he’s yet to open his scoring account for Belouizdad after eight matches across all competitions.

Khanyisa Mayo to meet up with Orlando Pirates

Is there a transfer link between the former Cape Town City striker and the Buccaneers? No, but their respective sides do battle in the Caf Champions League on Tuesday 27 November. Orlando Pirates also face African champions Al Ahly in the group stages.

Zungu and Mkhulise are midfield targets

Bongani Zungu, nicknamed Ben10, has 29 Bafana Bafana caps and experience across Europe. He’s strutted his stuff in the top tiers of Scotland, France and Portugal with Glasgow Rangers, Amiens and Vitoria Guimaraes. His stock peaked, according to transfermarkt, in January 2018 when he was valued at €3.5m (R67 million). However, it’s been a steady decline since. Zungu departed for Europe in 2026 and jumped around clubs until 2022 when he made a return to Sundowns. He made his Bafana debut in 2013 which feels like an awfully long time ago. Would he be an upgrade on the likes of Edson Castillo and Sibongiseni Mthethwa?

Stellies to hijack Chiefs deal for Nguse?

According to SoccerLaduma, Stellenbosch will put together an offer for rumoured Chiefs target Lungelo Nguse. Amakhosi see Nguse as a more realistic target after the failed pursuits of Fiston Mayele and Michael Olunga. Nguse, the 25-year-old nicknamed ‘Mbesuma’ has one goal from six league appearances for Golden Arrows this term. In 2023-2024 he plundered six strikes in the top-flight.

Kengan legend on the Kaizer Chiefs radar

30-year-old Michael Olunga bagged a hat-trick in the first match of this season’s Qatar Stars League. In his entire club career, he’s scored a stunning tally of 190 goals in 253 matches. In his last 61 league matches in Qatar, he’s scored a ludicrous 62 goals. No matter who you’re playing for, a scoring rate of more than a goal per game is absurd.

Olunga has played for Kenyan giants Gor Mahia, Swedish side Djurgardens, Spanish LaLiga’s Girona, Chinese outfit Hengfeng, Kashiwa Reysol from Japan’s J-League and Qatari club Al-Duhail SC. To say he’s Kenya’s greatest is probably an understatement, but perhaps brother duo Victor Wanyama and McDonald Mariga would like a word. Chiefs are considering an ambitious move for the man valued at R172 million, but his wage demands and signing-on fee will likely be prohibitive. His estimated transfer value stands at €9m, or R172 million.