Kaizer Chiefs top 10 players of the PSL Era


By Joburg Post



1. Itumeleng Khune, one of the club’s most decorated payers of the PSL era, made his debut under Muhsin Ertugral in 2007 against Jomo Cosmos, after being promoted from the juniors. He later captained the team from 2011 for large successful spells and won many club and individual honours. In recent seasons injuries and inconsistent form have left him on the sidelines. However, his status at the club and club legend is assured.



2. Jabu Pule, arguably the most talented player of his generation made 99 appearances for the club and scored 56 goals, a goal ratio of strikers, though he was an attacking midfielder. However, his off the field antics punctuated by poor discipline undermined his career and limited his success on the pitch. Shuffle, as he was affectionately known came close to signing for French giants Olympique Marseille, but an apparent failure to pass his medical put paid to his dream. This pace and skilful player full of tricks had a decent run with the national team and also turned out for arch-rivals Orlando Pirates with much less success.


3. Doctor Khumalo, ’16 valve’ though his best years were in the old NSL era, before 1996, his impact at the club in the PSL era has merited his inclusion on the list. Had such great technical skills for such a big man and could influence matches from midfield and be a match-winner. Had a football brain and charisma that made him such a fan favourite. An undisputed icon of local and African football.



4. Brian Baloyi, spent eight seasons at the club in the PSL era. He was probably at his peak at the club before leaving in 2004 to join Sundowns. Spiderman was a Bafana Bafana regular when the team won silver at the AFCON in Burkina Faso in 1998 and won many trophies as a leading player including the Mandela  Cup in 2001( African Cup Winners Cup, now known as the Confederations Cup) as captain. His shot-stopping, acrobatic, penalty saving skills and colourful hair made him a crowd favourite. His talent, success and leadership cement his status as a club great in the PSL era.



5. Arthur Zwane, the current club’s caretaker coach has cemented his status among the Amakhosi faithful as a club legend after spending a decade at the club from 200-till 2010, scoring 46 goals as a winger in close to 200 appearances. Zwane was a key part of the ‘Operation Vat Alles’ in the 2000/2001 season where they won four major trophies under Muhsin Ertugral. He terrified defenders with his pace and skill on the right-wing and could run all day.



6. Lawrence Thabo Mooki, popularly known as ‘TsikiTsiki’ after Mdu Masilela’s kwaito hit song. A one-club man who joined the first team in 1994 from the development side and retired in 2009 having made almost 350 appearances. A very stylish midfielder who could control the tempo of the game with a near-perfect pass selection that could prise open the tightest of defences. Mooki was a fan favourite and was the last player at the club who truly deserved to wear the jersey number 12 made popular by club legend the late Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe and later Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse. He is a true club legend.

7. Cyril Nzama, Skhokho as he knew joined the club in 2000 from Umtata Bush Bucks and went on to spend  8 successful seasons, making well over 180 appearances and also had a spell as captain of the club. His club form saw him earning 44 caps for the National team and featured at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan/Korea. Skhokho came close to signing for English Premier League side Westham United on the back of the impressive World Cup performance, until behind the scenes disagreements collapsed his dream move. A solid, solid, and sturdy right-back who could run all day.



8. Simphiwe Tshabalala, will always be remembered for scoring the first-ever African FIFA World Cup goal in 2010 for Bafana  Bafana against Mexico in the opening match.  Shabba scored 58 goals in 372 matches for the club, he had great technical gifts and a wonderful left foot and was a dead-ball specialist. Won many individual accolades at the club in over a decade spent at the club. He is an undisputed legend at the club.



9. Tinashe Washington Nengomashe, a midfield enforcer who spent a trophy-laden decade at the club and made well over 250 appearances. Nengomashe was hard work and commitment personified, he wore his heart on his sleeve. In the 2003  and 2004 seasons, he has crowned the Footballer of the Season and Player’s Player of the season. 



  10 .  Siyabonga Bhele Nomvethe, joined the club in 1998 from African Wanderers by the time he left the club in 2001 to join Italian outfit Udinese he had netted 42 goals in close to 80 matches. His Intelligent use of space, pace and finishing in front of goals makes him one of the feared strikers in the PSL era. His combination with Jabu pule terrified defenders and he is currently the highest all-time leading scorer in the PSL.

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