By Michael Madyira
Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane might have to look for plan B after a number of trialists recently failed to impress him.
Last week, Zwane said they had adopted a new transfer policy of inviting players for trials before making decisions based on the auditions.
A number of contract hopefuls were under assessment at Naturena in December ahead of the current player transfer window but they have since all returned to their respective bases.
They include ex-Borussia Dortmund forward Balint Bajner, Boris Kopitovic, centre-back Maurizio Macorig and Congolese striker Christian Saile Bambouli before they were released.
Also, Mozambique internationals Neymar Canhembe and Stanley Ratifo were training with Amakhosi.
Zwane might, however, be forced to change his mind on some of them or bring a new group for trials as he insists they are still in the market for “good players.”
“We are forever looking for good players as a club because we want to win silverware, we want to compete. If we get good players, we will definitely go for them,” said Zwane.
“Any good player that can come in that can add value, regardless of the position, any good player we’ll go for him.”
Former South Africa youth international Bradley Cross also trained with Chiefs but stopped just before the Fifa World Cup.
Zwane’s new approach to transfers saw him land the signatures for striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and defender Edmilson Dove in the last transfer window after the two underwent trials.
The Amakhosi tactician, however, took longer to make a decision on Bimanyimana who had returned to Europe before being told to come back.
Chiefs’ way of transfer business is opposite to the approach by rivals Mamelodi Sundowns who recruit players with a proven record without trialling them.
Sundowns’ transfer policy has been credited for their dominance of the PSL but Zwane defends Chiefs’ new strategy.
“That’s why it is key for us to profile the players before they get here and also have a closer look at them in action and from there we’ll come up with a decision. That’s the approach we’ve decided to take as a club,” Zwane said.
The January transfer window runs throughout the month and there might still be time for Zwane to scout and add more players.
Pictured above: Arthur Zwane
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
