Kaizer Chiefs dealt a further blow in the transfer market

Kaizer Chiefs’ ongoing pursuit of left-back Fawaaz Basadien might have hit a snag with Stellies CEO Rob Benadie digging his heels in over the player.

Chiefs are told that Stellies want to keep Fawaaz Basadien

Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie sounds adamant that the Winelandsa club will keep hold of star left-back Fawaaz Badadien. They’ve already sold former skipper Deano Van Rooyen, an equally important cog on the other side of their defence. They’ve also sold Iqraam Rayners to Mamelodi Sundowns, and are understandably reluctant to lose a third key player in the same window.

Defensive rebuild is a clear priority

Although Chiefs’ major issue last term was goal-scoring, their priority right now is to to add bulk and quality to their defensive unit. 28-year-old Inacio Miguel arrives with club football experience in Portugal, Romania, Latvia and most recently Angola with Petro de Luanda. He has requested and received the number 83 jersey previously worn by four-time Betway Premiership winner Morgan Gould, who won two league titles with Amakhosi. Inacio is a central defender who can also operate in midfield. Elsewhere, 26-year-old journeyman left-back Bongani Sam will become the fifth player in history to represent every Soweto club when he pulls on a Chiefs jersey for the first time.

Betway Premiership fixtures

Hope springs eternal for Chiefs who get their campaign underway with a trip to Gallants. Here’s what fans can expect in the opening weeks, including testing assignments against the champions and last season’s seventh-place finishers Matsatsantsa.

• Marumo Gallants vs Chiefs – Saturday, 14 September, Toyota Stadium, 17:30
• Chiefs vs Stellenbosch – Sunday, 22 September, FNB Stadium, 15:00
• AmaZulu vs Chiefs – Wednesday, 25 September, King Zwelithini Stadium, 19:30
• Chiefs vs Sundowns – Saturday, 28 September, FNB Stadium, 15:00
• SuperSport United vs Chiefs – Saturday, 26 October, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 17:30

Is Benadie playing hardball? What, in your opinion, is a fair price for Basadien in the current market?

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Kaizer Chiefs finished the 2023-2024 league campaign in tenth position, their worst placing in the history of the DStv Premiership. Their last league title came back in 2015, their most recent piece of major silverware.