Kaizer Chiefs transfer watch: Five stars facing the axe at Naturena this winter

Kaizer Chiefs may have endured several set-backs in recent years, with naysayers claiming that they’ve even fallen from grace, but they still record the biggest fan following in the country, making them the dream club for most players.

Be that as it may, several players, who’ve played for the club, have cracked under pressure at the club, including a handful this season. Now, with one last batch of matches to play this season, after the ongoing Fifa international break, Mihlali Baleka looks at players who must step up or ship out in the coming months.

Khanyiso Mayo (Loan ending)

Mayo arrived with high expectations at Chiefs this season. But such have been the setbacks — including injuries, form, and an over-eagerness to impress — that he has struggled, scoring only two goals in 12 appearances so far this season.

The son of club legend Patrick Mayo is blessed with a wealth of talent. He has an eye for goal and can easily get into scoring channels through build-up play. However, having failed to demonstrate that during the better part of his loan spell, it increasingly looks like he will be shipped back to parent club CR Belouizdad, unless his fortunes change in the next few weeks.

Gaston Sirino (Contract ending)

Blessed with plenty of talent, experience, and a winning appetite, Sirino has been a shadow of himself since arriving at Naturena. He appears to have lost the spark that made him shine at rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, where he was once one of the league's highest earners with a package worth roughly R350 000 per month.

During cameos, he has done little to influence the performance of the team, cheaply losing possession and allowing opponents to walk all over them. Now, with Chiefs eager to salvage their season, they will hope a figure of Sirino’s calibre finally rises to the occasion.

Bruce Bvuma (Contract ending)

Bvuma is a graduate of the renowned school of Chiefs goalkeepers, including Itumeleng Khune. But he has endured mixed performances between the sticks since his promotion, resulting in criticism from club legends.

After a sluggish return to competitive football, conceding four goals in back-to-back matches — including the Soweto derby — Bvuma has revived himself with back-to-back clean sheets. However, he is still far from looking like a definitive number one. He battles with his reflexes and one-on-one duels, areas that need significant improvement if he is to earn a new deal.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo (Contract ending)

After impressing in the youth ranks, Ngcobo endeared himself to the football fraternity, with many tipping him as the next superstar. “Mshini’s” light has since faded in the senior team, owing to injuries, form, and frequent changes in coaching personnel.

The midfielder has been given ample opportunity by co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef this season. He has shown flashes of his old self but has hardly stamped his authority on matches. With his contract winding down, the clock is ticking for the fan favourite.

Pule Mmodi (Contract ending)

A few seasons ago, Mmodi hogged the headlines as one of the hottest properties in the league. His arrival at Chiefs was expected to elevate his career, but instead, he has lost his place in the Bafana Bafana set-up and remains a fringe player at the club.

Mmodi thrives on speed and dribbling, yet he has rarely made an impact with those qualities this season. Given the high stakes of the winter window, the club could decide to ship him out to free up space in the squad.