Kaizer Chiefs wrapped up a turbulent campaign in the Betway Premiership, settling for a frustrating ninth-place finish—largely attributed to a glaring deficiency in the forward department.
Their main strikers – Ranga Chivaviro, Ashley Du Preez, Tashreeq Morris and Wandile Duba collectively failed to reach double digits in goals, a stark indicator of their attacking woes.
Since the transfer window has opened, the club has already released Ranga Chivaviro and brought in Portuguese striker Flavio Silva.
However, with the future of Tashreeq Morris also uncertain, the Soweto giants are reportedly still in the market for additional attacking talent.
As coach Nasreddine Nabi continues his rebuild, the focus remains on finding a consistent and impactful striker.
SBN brings you five forwards who could fill the void at Kaizer Chiefs:
Peter Shalulile
The prolific Namibian international, Peter Shalulile, has reportedly become a free agent after his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns expired on June 30, 2025. This development makes him a highly sought-after prospect, with interest from clubs in both the Middle East and North Africa.
Shalulile’s five-year tenure with Sundowns was nothing short of exceptional, seeing him win five league titles, the African Football League, the MTN8, and the Nedbank Cup. While it’s unclear if Sundowns will try to negotiate a new deal, reports suggest Shalulile is ready for a new challenge.
Kaizer Chiefs will undoubtedly be closely monitoring his situation. To add a layer of complexity, there’s speculation that Sundowns may have exercised a two-year extension option on his contract, considering his involvement in their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
Zakhele Lepasa
Former Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa recently became a free agent after parting ways with the Buccaneers last week. His departure followed a season marred by injury, preventing him from making any appearances.
Read: Tim Sukazi on the Possibility of Zakhele Lepasa Returning to TS Galaxy
The Bafana Bafana international is currently with the national team, participating in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), using the platform to seek a new club.
The 28-year-old previously had loan spells with SuperSport United and, notably, with TS Galaxy. It was during his time at Galaxy that he famously scored the winning goal against Kaizer Chiefs in the 2018/19 Nedbank Cup final, securing a historic victory for the lower-division side.
Despite his injury-plagued last season, Lepasa leaves Pirates with a respectable record of 15 goals and two assists in 64 matches, having also won four MTN8 titles and one Nedbank Cup with the Soweto giants.
Dženan Zajmovic
Belgian-Bosnian striker Dženan Zajmovic made a significant impact in his single season at TS Galaxy. He registered an impressive 11 goals and two assists in 28 appearances across all competitions, showcasing his versatility by playing as both a leading striker and a second striker behind Victor Letsoalo.
The striker’s technical quality and tactical adaptability were evident as he became the club’s top scorer, contributing significantly to their record-high fifth-place league finish.
Despite his contributions, the 30-year-old striker will not be returning to TS Galaxy for the upcoming pre-season, after an agreement was reached to terminate his contract a year early.
Now a free agent, it remains to be seen where Zajmovic, who made a strong impression in the South African top-flight, will ply his trade next season.
Darwin Gonzalez
Venezuelan winger Darwin Gonzalez is another potential target, having recently become a free agent after his contract with Cape Town City expired. The two parties couldn’t agree on an extension for the 31-year-old, leading to his early release from the club.
Last season, Gonzalez made 29 appearances and scored five goals across all competitions. One of his notable strikes came against Kaizer Chiefs, where he embarked on a solo run from his own half, culminating in a composed finish that helped Cape Town City secure a victory in the Betway Premiership.
Since joining Cape Town City in 2022, Gonzalez has played a total of 103 matches, registering 16 goals and nine assists. His experience and ability to contribute goals and assists from wide areas could be valuable for Chiefs.
Andy Boyeli
The 23-year-old Congolese striker, Andy Boyeli, has caught the eye with his impressive debut season in the Betway Premiership for Sekhukhune United. Before his move from Power Dynamos, Boyeli was reportedly already on Chiefs’ radar.
Boyeli garnered the Player of the Month award in January for his prolific scoring, which included four goals that month, highlighted by a stunning hat-trick against SuperSport United and a goal against AmaZulu FC.
While he impressed in patches, the Babina Noko striker managed to score six goals in 27 appearances last season. Reports suggest Boyeli is poised for a surprise move to Tanzanian Premier League champions Young Africans SC, but Kaizer Chiefs could still hijack the deal if they act swiftly.