Kaizer Chiefs’ inactivity in the January transfer window has been impossible to ignore, especially with their fiercest rivals choosing noise over nuance.
Yet, according to co-coach Cedric Kaze, Amakhosi’s silence is not a sign of indecision, but one of intent. As Chiefs prepare to resume their Betway Premiership campaign against Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.30pm), the Soweto giants find themselves firmly in the mix.
Fourth on the table with 24 points from 13 matches, they are four points behind leaders Orlando Pirates, two adrift of Mamelodi Sundowns and just a point off Sekhukhune United.
All three rivals have already dipped into the market. Chiefs, however, have resisted the urge to follow. Speaking on Monday ahead of their clash against Arrows, Kaze offered a measured explanation, rooted in context rather than comparison.
The Amakhosi, after all, made their biggest moves months ago, signing close to a dozen players ahead of the season — a scale of recruitment that inevitably demanded patience.
“I’m very happy with the squad that we have,” Kaze said. “We signed practically 12 players at the beginning of the season.”
That intake arrived into a turbulent pre-season, one that left little room for cohesion or clarity.
Injuries, disrupted preparation and adaptation challenges meant several new faces struggled to settle. According to Kaze, that phase distorted early assessments.
“The struggles that we had in pre-season didn’t put especially the new players into very good conditions to play or to understand how we want to play,” he explained. “Now we have had time to rectify that.”
That time, Chiefs believe, has value. Fringe players who arrived with promise but have barely featured are now expected to be part of the solution rather than collateral damage in another recruitment cycle.
Names like Ethan Chislett and Nkanyiso Shinga are reminders that not all signings declare themselves immediately.
January, Kaze warned, is not a forgiving market.
“It’s a tricky period. You need to be careful how you sign players,” he said, making it clear that desperation often leads to expensive regret.
Still, Chiefs are not closing the door entirely. The window remains open, and the club continues to scan for opportunities that make sense — not ones that simply satisfy public pressure.
“We are looking. If there is an opportunity that we can get, we’ll go get it,” Kaze added. “But the players that we have now, we know that they will compete very well.”
In a league season shaped as much by stability as spending, Chiefs’ restraint may yet prove to be their quiet advantage. While others shuffle the deck midstream, Amakhosi are betting on continuity, trust and delayed dividends — a gamble that could define their campaign far beyond January.
KAIZER CHIEFS v GOLDEN ARROWS
Chiefs possible starting XI: Brandon Petersen, Thabiso Monyane, Inacio Miguel, Aiden McCarthy, Paseka Mako, Thabo Cele, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Lebohang Maboe, Glody Lilepo, Mduduzi Shabalala, Godspower Ighodaro
Golden Arrows possible starting XI: Xolani Ngcobo, Sboniso Madonsela, Ayanda Jiyane, Oumar Comara, Sbonelo Cele, Nqobeko Dlamini, Isaac Cisse, Ayabulela Maxwele, Siyanda Ndlovu, Junior Dion, Philani Khumalo
