Amakhosi are likely to throw the net wide outside South African waters in their search for a striker for next season and are said to have reached a conclusion on Ranga Chivaviro’s future.
The signing may come as a surprise to some, given that head coach Nasreddine Nabi was once an avowed fan of the striker, going far as to try and sign him twice when he was at Young Africans.
Chivavairo was at the time one of the deadliest forwards in the continent, guiding Marumo Gallants to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup with a total of 17 goals.
But things have not worked at Naturena.
He signed in the early part of 2023/24 on a two-year deal with an option to renew and managed just four goals from 23 games.
His second campaign, this time under the guidance of Nabi, was full of promise but delivered little as well: he netted five times in 22 games.
To put things into perspective, January signing Glody Lilepo has scored six goals in 13 matches, and 20-year-old Wandile Duba – who has been out with injuries – has scored six as well.
The broad consensus signals the end of the visit for Chivavairo at Chiefs, whose leadership has forwarded extension, sources claim.
Amakhosi are determined to sign a goal-scoring striker in the next window, and at the top of that list remains Pyramids FC’s Fiston Mayele, who scored twice to eliminate Orlando Pirates from the CAF Champions League at the semi-finals stage.
The Egyptian side will not, however, easily release their talisman, who is also rumoured to be on a fat salary that Soweto giants would have to deep-pocket to match.
Meanwhile, Chivaviro will not be the only one leaving the Village. It is uncertain what the futures are of Happy Mashiane’s, Edson Castillo’s, George Matlou’s and Zitha Kwinika’s.
