How Kaizer Chiefs flushed R50 Million down the drain over three years

Kaizer Chiefs dish out some handsome salaries, but some haven’t paid any dividends. To put it mildly.

Dolly’s dismal Chiefs career in a nutshell

Keagan Dolly, once a superstar winger at Montpellier and Sundowns, has struggled to recapture his best form at Kaizer Chiefs. Since signing for Amakhosi in July 2021, the 31-year-old has only racked up 67 appearances for the Glamour Boys with 14 goals and 11 assists. The 2016 CAF Champions League winner has 23 caps for Bafana Bafana but the last of those came in 2022 in a friendly against France.

Too much money, too little return

It’s been downhill ever since. The attacking midfielder did sign for Chiefs on a free transfer three years ago, but it’s difficult to argue that the deal paid off. The Glamour Boys met his massive wage demands carried over from France’s Ligue 1 and it’s been crippling their books from that day. He’s picked up 36 monthly salaries over a three-year deal at a whopping R1.4 million a pop. No trophies, very few match-winning performances and loads of injuries are the main story of his tenure. Although undoubtedly a player of rich talent and pedigree, Dolly’s Kaizer Chiefs career has been a disaster.

Keagan Dolly of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates a goal with teammate Ashley Du Preez during DStv Premiership 2022/23 football match between Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC at Soccer City on 01 April 2023 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Amakhosi send veteran trio packing

SABC Sport reported that Kaizer Chiefs have released Siyethemba Sithebe, Keagan Dolly and Sifiso Hlanti. Njabulo Ngcobo follows them out the exit door and is expected to sign a contract with Sekhukhune United. George Matlou and Itumeleng Khune are two other players whose contracts expire at the end of June 2024. So far, there’s no clarity of their immediate futures.

“SABC Sport can confirm Sifiso Hlanti, Keagan Dolly and Siyethemba Sithebe will be all leaving Kaizer Chiefs at the end of the week following a decision by the club not to retain their services ahead of the new season. According to information received by the public broadcaster, the Amakhosi hierarchy was waiting on the incoming technical team to make a call on several of the out-of-contract players at Naturena. Hlanti, Dolly and Sithebe being among them have since been informed that Chiefs are going in a different direction and are now permitting them to speak to other clubs,” they wrote.

Njabulo Ngcobo in action for Kaizer Chiefs against AmaZulu. Image: BackpagePix

CHIEFS TOP FIVE MONTHLY SALARIES

• Keagan Dolly – R1,4 Million
• Itumeleng Khune – R480,000
• Zitha Kwinika – R370,000
• Ashley du Preez – R300,000
• Yusuf Maart – R300,000

Dolly’s imminent departure will serve as a lesson to the club. The board is set for a whirlwind winter window.

The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya

What profile of player should they sign to replace him? Let us know in the comments.