Chippa confirm talks for Kaizer Chiefs target

Kaizer Chiefs‘ target Stanley Nwabali looks set to leave Chippa United at the end of this season. His boss Siviwe Mpengesi has confirmed interest talks and it’s not with Amakhosi.

KAIZER CHIEFS’ CHIPPA UNITED TARGET STANLEY NWABALI EXPECTED TO LEAVE

Nwabali, aged 27, joined the Chilli Boys from Nigeria Premier League club Katsina United in October 2022. The towering goalkeeper emerged as a Kaizer Chiefs target after delivering 11 clean-sheets in the first half of the season. Nwabali went on to take the gloves for Nigeria at Afcon 2023. His performances in Ivory Coast produced reports about interest from Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in England and Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. Chippa has now confirmed talking to club abroad.

“We are talking to a few clubs abroad,” Mpengesi told iDiski Times.

“We also believe that he needs something better, especially after the performance that he showed at the AFCON. You know, being number two, they were runner-ups, he was number two, second best goalkeeper of AFCON.

“So if the opportunity comes especially abroad, of course even if it comes locally and the offer is for him, it’s not even for us. If the offer for him is better then we are not going to hold on to him,” Mpengesi concluded.

AMAKHOSI ANNOUNCE MFUNDO VILAKAZI DEAL

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs have announced the signing of the 18-year-old Vilakazi. The midfielder/winger known as ‘Obrigado,’ started to train with the first team in January before making his debut in February against Milford FC in the Nedbank Cup.

Kaizer Chiefs now officially announced that the Soweto-born youngster has signed his first professional contract until 2028.

Full statement:

“Kaizer Chiefs have handed teenage sensation, Mfundo Vilakazi, a contract extension that will see him stay at Naturena until June 2028.

“Vilakazi arrived at Chiefs’ Youth Development Academy in 2021, initially playing for the under-17 team, before being promoted to the reserve team, where he shone for two seasons.

“The naturally gifted 18-year-old started training with the senior squad earlier this season and was included in the team shortly afterwards, much to the delight of many Kaizer Chiefs fans.

“He has made the match day squad on six occasions, appearing twice from the bench, in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates and then in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 match.

“The Soweto-born attacking midfielder expressed his delight at signing this contract, saying: ‘“I’m happy and excited to have a contract with a big Club like Chiefs. It has always been my dream from a young age to play for the senior team and represent Kaizer Chiefs. I am looking forward to contributing to the Club and paying back the management for believing in my talent. I thank all the supporters who always push me to do better, I promise not to disappoint.”’

“Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. expressed his excitement about this development by saying: ‘“We are very excited to be able to conclude this contract extension. Mfundo is an exceptional talent and we are looking forward to seeing him showcase his God-given technical ability with the senior team for many years to come. It’s now all about the hard work for the young man and we know he will do his best.

“Mfundo’s promotion is a testament to the great work in our development structures. We have built an environment that is conducive to producing talent for the senior team, which is fundamental to the ethos of Kaizer Chiefs. We have some hard-working people – from under-13 to the reserve side – who do not focus purely on winning but mainly on producing top footballers for the senior team.”’