Chippa United will battle it out with AmaZulu FC in Saturday's DStv Premiership match at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha.

Kick-off is at 5:45 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Chilli Boys are now winless in their last two matches across all competitions having suffered a 2-1 loss to Stellenbosch FC in the Carling Knockout last weekend.

Chippa are occupying the seventh spot on the DStv Premiership standings - a point behind fourth-placed Moroka Swallows and a win over AmaZulu would cement the Chilli Boys' spot in the top eight.

Meanwhile, AmaZulu are now undefeated in their last two matches across all competotions having drawn 0-0 with Orlando Pirates in a league encounter in midweek.

Usuthu find themselves placed 10th on the DStv Premiership standings - three points behind Swallows and a win over Chippa would elevate the KwaZulu-Natal giants into the top eight.

TEAM NEWS

Chippa duo of Stanley Nwabili and Ronaldo Maarman were ruled out of the game against Stellenbosch due to injury and it is unclear whether they will be available for selection this weekend.

AmaZulu, on the other hand, are set to welcome back Abbubaker Mobara from a two-match suspension, but Taariq Fielies and Veluyeke Zulu picked up injuries in the game against Pirates.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Chippa United head coach Morgan Mammila

“I just knew we were going to have a tough time, but I thought the other players who came in did their best," Mammila said.

“However, let's give credit to Stellenbosch. They were a much better team today, they were more organised, sharper and better than us.

“We lost the game because we were not good enough to win the match.”

AmaZulu FC head coach Pablo Franco Martin

"I have to say again, I don't think it was healthy to play against Pirates today. These players are not machines even though they behaved like they are today," Martin said.

"We will keep going. Another tough game on Saturday, no time to rest, there's travelling in between and no time to prepare but I know this team is going to be competitive again against Chippa,

"Hopefully we can finish off the week with three points."

Chippa United: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Luvuyo Memela: The creative attacker, who has the joint most assists (three)in the league, is set to make his return to the team after being rested against Stellenbosch.

Menzi Ndwandwe: The 26-year-old striker will be oozing with confidence after scoring his first goal for Chippa against Stellies and he will now look to inspire his side to a win over AmaZulu.

AmaZulu: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Riaan Hanamub: The quality left-back is a key component of the AmaZulu defence having helped the team keep two clean sheets against the two Soweto giants Chiefs and Pirates.

Celimpilo Ngema: The diminutive attacking midfielder has shown that he has the ability to make AmaZulu tick and he could be key to a victory over the Chilli Boys.

Head-to-Head

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2018/19 Chippa 0-1 AmaZulu Ncube

2018/19 AmaZulu 0-1 Chippa Mbenyane

2019/20 AmaZulu 0-2 Chippa Twala 2

2019/20 Chippa 1-0 AmaZulu Gamildien

2020/21 AmaZulu 3-1 Chippa Mulenga, Memela 2; Nhlapo

2020/21 Chippa 0-1 AmaZulu Xoki (pen)

2021/22 Chippa 1-1 AmaZulu Eva Nga; Majoro

2021/22 AmaZulu 2-2 Chippa Memela 2; Eva Nga 2

2022/23 AmaZulu 1-2 Chippa Zulu; Pietersen (pen), Matrose

2022/23 Chippa 0-2 AmaZulu Dion, Gumede

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2012/13)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Chippa 8 2 3 3 6 7

AmaZulu 8 1 1 6 7 13

Away

P W D L GF GA

Chippa 8 6 1 1 13 7

AmaZulu 8 3 3 2 7 6

Total

P W D L GF GA

Chippa 16 8 4 4 19 14

AmaZulu 16 4 4 8 14 19

Taking the essence of passion from the football pitch to the palate, South African football club Kaizer Chiefs is proud to announce its bold venture into the culinary world with the debut of its first-ever snack range.

With each bite, fans can now taste the audacious flavours that mirror the club's indomitable spirit: Tomato, Grilled Steak, and Salt & Vinegar.

“Our vision was clear - to deliver a snack range that embodies the boldness and vibrancy of the Kaizer Chiefs brand,” says Kaizer Chiefs Marketing and Commercial Director, Jessica Motaung.

“With these explosive flavours, we invite fans everywhere to get #Khosified and truly Fuel Your Passion.”

Product Highlights:

Bold, Unapologetic Flavours: Dive into the intense taste of Grilled Steak, be captivated by the vibrant tang of Tomato, or get swept away by the audacious notes of Salt & Vinegar. It's a flavour fiesta that's not for the faint-hearted.

Two Tailored Sizes: Whether you're fuelling a personal passion with the 36g pack or sharing the thrill with friends with the 120g pack, there's a size just right for the moment.

Uncompromised Quality: Crafted from the finest ingredients and echoing the club's commitment to excellence, each pack promises a taste sensation that's purely Kaizer Chiefs.

As the next chapter in the #Khosified campaign, this innovative move into the food and beverage sector signifies Kaizer Chiefs’ continuous drive to engage and inspire its vast supporter base in diverse and dynamic ways.

Ready to Fuel Your Passion? The Kaizer Chiefs snack range will be available at select retail outlets from the middle of October. Dive in, taste the boldness, and be a part of this flavourful revolution.

SuperSport United face losing a second regular centre back and having to play with a makeshift defence at the weekend after Thatayaone Ditlhokwe hurt his back on Tuesday away against Cape Town City.

The Botswana captain had to be substituted in the first half of the 1-0 win over the home side in the DStv Premiership after falling awkwardly after an aerial challenge.

Coach Gavin Hunt said he feared Ditlhokwe could miss the game against Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban on Saturday, joining his regular back four partner Thulani Hlatshwayo on the sidelines.

Hlatshwayo had 23 stitches in a cut on the side of his face after a head collision in last weekend’s game against Marumo Gallants and will be out for at least two weeks. He also suffered concussion, which is not the first time for Hlatshwayo, which Hunt said was a major cause for concern.

“It looks as if the two centre backs are going to be out for some time and we’ve got another two away games in a row. So it's going to be backs to the wall stuff,” the coach predicted.

After Saturday’s match in Durban, SuperSport have a derby against champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on January 16.

The CAF Medical Committee member Dr Yacine Zerguini has heaped praises on the Premier Soccer League for successfully implementing a biologically safe environment in the 2019/20 season.

The PSL bio-bubble has been hailed by the CAF medical expert as the ‘most elaborate example’ that has ‘set the new standards’.

After the corona-virus thwarted the 2019/20 season in March 2020, the PSL opted for a biologically safe environment (otherwise known as the bio-bubble) to complete the remainder of the season.

So far, all other competitions of the League for the 2019/20 season have been completed bar the Promotion Play-offs.

Speaking on the impact of the corona virus in Africa and also the response of African Leagues to the pandemic, Dr Zerguini singled out South Africa for it’s processes including how it combined various key expertise to come up with solutions.

He said: “We have particularly observed the examples in different leagues. We have observed the examples in South Africa, in Morocco, in Tunisia and also Egypt who have set good examples.

“For me, the most elaborate example in South Africa- perhaps because they have a tradition of direct links between sports medicine and academic world and using these expertise. The combination of these is probably the solution – for us to ask those who know and have understanding to help and come up with solutions.”

Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler has roped in two former Bafana Bafana internationals to bolster his technical team ahead of the 2020-21 Premier Soccer League season.

Delron Buckley has joined the KwaZulu-Natal side as an assistant coach, while Rowen Fernandez will act as goalkeeper coach.

"We would like to welcome Rowen and Delron to our club and to Pietermaritzburg. As players they both enjoyed immense experience, having played in Europe and for the senior national team, Bafana Bafana,” Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia said.

“As ambitious and energetic up-and-coming coaches, we are confident that their experience and coaching ability will be a big asset to our club. The two appointments were made in consultation with head coach Eric Tinkler and we expect that they will slot in seamlessly into our technical team."

Former winger Buckley played 73 matches for South Africa, putting him joint-seventh on the all-time lost for Bafana, and also had an excellent career in the German Bundesliga with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and VfL Bochum.

Buckley played for South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, but missed out on 2010 despite paying his last international in 2012.

He finished his playing career at Maritzburg in the 2013/14 season.

Ex-keeper Fernandez won 23 caps between 2004 and 2009, and also played in Germany with Arminia Bielefeld, as well as BidVest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs locally.

He spent two years as goalkeeper coach at Orlando Pirates, including when Tinkler was in charge of The Buccaneers.

Orlando Pirates have unveiled new signings Thulani Hlatshwayo and Deon Hotto following their arrival from BidVest Wits.

The pair were expected to link up with The Buccaneers following the sale of Wits’ franchise, with Bafana Bafana captain Hlatshwayo beefing up the defence and Namibia international winger Hotto providing an attacking threat from wide areas.

“We are pleased to welcome Thulani and Deon to the Club,” Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza said in a statement. “These are two players who have a proven pedigree both at club and international level and we are confident that they will complement the team that we have assembled. I must thank all those who were involved in the negotiations.”

Pirates have been chasing the signature of Hlatshwayo, 30, for a number of seasons and finally got their man when Wits sold their franchise to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhadila, allowing the players to opt out of a move to Limpopo.

Hotto, 28, brings both goals and assists, and has also turned out for Bloemfontein Celtic and Lamontville Golden Arrows in South Africa’s top-flight.

Stellenbosch FC have bolstered their squad for the new Premier Soccer League season with the signing of goalkeeper Sage Stephens and full-back Zitha Macheke.

Stephens arrives from Cape Town City after he was released by the latter at the end of the last campaign.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

He will contest the No 1 jersey with incumbent Lee Langeveldt and youngster Keegan Pool.

Right-back Macheke, 26, arrives from BidVest Wits, where he started 24 of their 30 league games last season before the club was sold and relocated to Limpopo.

He has 133 professional appearances having also turned out for Chippa United and Thanda Royal Zulu since he made his debut in 2015, having been a regular with every club he has represented.

He came through the development ranks at Kaizer Chiefs, but never played for the Soweto giants.

Swallows FC have completed two new signings ahead of the 2020-21 Premier Soccer League season, including that of veteran midfielder Musa Nyatama.

The GladAfrica Championship winners are looking to bolster their squad as they return to the South African top-flight for the first time in five years.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

The experienced Nyatama has previously played for Thanda Royal Zulu, Maritzburg United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates, who he left last season.

Swallows have also confirmed the arrival of highly-rated winger Moeketsi Makhanya, who had an excellent campaign with JDR Stars in the second-tier in 2019-20 and will now the opportunity to test himself in the elite league.

He netted 12 goals in 25 appearances for Stars in the league.

Gavin Hunt has been appointed as the new head coach of Kaizer Chiefs, the club announced on Thursday.

The Cape Town-born mentor will start his job immediately and his contract will see him take charge of Amakhosi’s first team for the next three seasons.

Hunt brings a wealth of experience since he joined professional football in 1981. The former defender spent most of his playing career at Hellenic FC, for 13 years. He went straight into coaching after hanging up his boots in 1994.

Hunt has an impressive CV and a glittering coaching career, including his first accolade as a coach, having promoted Seven Stars from the First Division Coastal Stream to the elite league. His other accolades include winning the PSL Coach of the Season on five occasions. He has also won the league championship four times with two different teams and has several domestic cup competitions under his belt.

“We looked at our situation and our needs before deciding on Gavin,” confirms Chairman Kaizer Motaung. “He brings with him an abundance of experience, having coached about fives teams in the Premiership. There is success wherever he has coached.

“Given that the Covid-19 epidemic has forced us to finish the season in the bio-bubble and that the squad will only rest for two weeks before the players return for pre-season, we needed a coach who understands the local market and conditions. We believe that with Hunt we have brought in a person with the right experience and energy to do just that,” the Chairman explains the club’s choice of the new coach.

Having won the league on four occasions and qualifying for the CAF Champions League, Hunt comes with the necessary experience that will be required as Amakhosi will participate in the African club competition in the new season after finishing second in the domestic league.

“Playing on the continent is key for us as we haven’t done as well as we should have,” Motaung continues. “We have players who have participated in the competition and this experience should certainly be to our advantage.

“The other thing I have always emphasised is the need for coaches to equip themselves with the requisite knowledge. The game has changed and become much more scientific”, says Motaung as he concludes. “We know Gavin always endeavours to learn more about the game by attending courses both locally and overseas. This knowledge will come in handy to guide our team. We are looking forward to him sharing his experience with the team.”

The announcement of the new assistant coach will be made in due course.

Hunt will meet the team for the first time next week when the squad returns to training in preparation of the 2020/21 season.

story by: kaizerchiefs.com

Cape Town City forward Kermit Erasmus and manager Jan Olde Riekerink have been named the Absa Premiership Player and Coach of the Month for August/September, respectively.

The pair are the last recipients of the individual monthly accolades for the recently concluded 2019/20 Absa Premiership season.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

It is the first time Riekerink has been named the Coach of the Month since assuming the reigns at the Mother City-based club in November 2019. The Dutchman guided The Citizens to five wins out of their seven games in the bio-bubble since local football’s restart in August.

#AbsaPrem Coach of the Month:

CONGRATULATIONS to @CapeTownCityFC coach, Jan Olde Riekerink.

The #AbsaPrem Coach of the month (August/September 2020) pic.twitter.com/YNzf54zKm8

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 17, 2020

In the process, they scored 10 goals and conceded five goals. The impressive victories, which included some big games for the club, moved City from a lowly position on the log to finish season impressively on position six.

The stocky Erasmus played extremely well throughout this period and his Player of the Month award largely hinged on the four goals he scored in the seven outings for the club, mostly match-winning goals. Players such as Themba Zwane,

#AbsaPrem Player of the Month:

CONGRATULATIONS to @CapeTownCityFC forward, Kermit Erasmus.

The #AbsaPrem Player of the Month (August/September 2020). pic.twitter.com/eChgocwe97

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 17, 2020

Bradley Ralani and Ricardo Goss, were also mentioned for their great displays during the adjudication process but could not beat Erasmus’ incredible showing, who finished the season with 13 goals to his name.

Thabiso Kutumela, the Maritzburg United forward, walked away with the Absa Premiership Goal of the Month award for this period. His stunning low drive from outside the 18-yard area in his club’s 2-2 draw against league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, earned him the nod.

#AbsaPrem Goal of the Month:

CONGRATULATIONS to @MaritzburgUtd striker, Thabiso Kutumela.

The #AbsaPrem Goal of the Month Winner (August/September 2020) pic.twitter.com/vKNY97TLYL

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 17, 2020

Each of the goals selected during the monthly voting will now go towards the list of goals that will be voted for the Absa-lutely Awesome Goal of the Season to be revealed during the PSL Awards.

2019/20 ABSA PREMIERSHIP GOAL OF THE MONTH WINNERS:

• August: Hlompo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• September/October: Thabo Nodada (Cape Town City)
• November: Dumisani Zuma (Kaizer Chiefs)
• December: Samir Nurkovic (Kaizer Chiefs)
• January: Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates)
• February: Lebogang Manyama (Kaizer Chiefs)
• August/September: Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg United)

AmaZulu have hit back at claims that star striker Bongi Ntuli has submitted a transfer request, saying the player is committed to the club.

A report on Wednesday suggested the 29-year-old wanted to leave the Durban-based outfit, but Usuthu say there is no truth in this.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

“The story is plain and simple. A PSL club approached us two months ago, with a different agent from the one we know Ntuli to be represented by, and asked if we could talk of an offer. We rejected it,” AmaZulu General Manager Lunga Sokhela said in a statement.

“The matter is closed and we are not interested in this as well. Ntuli is committed to his contract with AmaZulu and that’s that.”

Ntuli was instrumental in steering AmaZulu to safety this season, netting 13 of the clubs 20 goals in the Absa Premiership campaign.

He arrived at the club ahead of the 2018/19 season and has 22 goals in 56 starts since then.

Ntuli also previously played for Lamontvile Golden Arrows, Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars.

The sale of Highlands Park to Tim Sukazi, the owner of GladAfrica Championship side TS Galaxy, has been approved by the Premier Soccer League.

Sukazi will relocate the team to Mpumalanga and play under the Galaxy name, but is expected to keep most of the Highlands squad, or at least those willing to make the move away from Johannesburg.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

“The acquisition comes at the back of lengthy and delicate discussions, where a mutual agreement was finally reached by both parties which will see TS Galaxy Football Club campaigning in the Premier Division of South African football as of the 2020/21 season,” Galaxy said in a statement on Thursday.

“As a result, TS Galaxy FC’s status in the GladAfrica Championship has been sold back to its former holders, Cape Town All Stars.”

Dan Malesela will make a return as head coach, with current incumbent Mabhuti Khenyeza leading the MultiChoice Diski Challenge side. Malesela will be assisted by Esau Mtsweni.

“As the only club from the Mpumalanga province competing in the Premiership, The Rockets will make use of the iconic, Mbombela Stadium as their home venue for the upcoming season,” Galaxy confirmed.

“This is as a result of the unavailability of club’s traditional home base, Kameelrivier Stadium as it does not meet the standards of hosting premiership fixtures as prescribed by the NSL Rules.”

Galaxy rose to national prominence when they became the first second-tier side to lift the Nedbank Cup, beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the 2019 final in their maiden season in existence.

It is the third time Highlands have sold their top-flight status. The first sale was to Jomo Sono to form Jomo Cosmos in 1983, with the second in 1993 as they became Welkom Eagles.

Veteran Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands admits that third place this past season was not good enough for the side, but he is hopeful they can build on that for the quick switch around into the new campaign.

Pirates started poorly and had a number of hiccups along the way, but still managed to claim a place in the 2020-21 CAF Confederation Cup, though their run without silverware continues and now stretches beyond six years with their previous success the 2014 Nedbank Cup.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

“You measure success in terms of silverware, this is something we need to reflect on as a team but at the same time if you consider where we come from and in particular how we started the league, third is understandable and we will take it, but in the greater scheme of things third is not good enough for Orlando Pirates, silverware is,” Sandilands told his club’s website.

The 27-year-old kept an impressive 12 clean sheets this season, the second best in the top-flight after SuperSport United’s Ronwen Williams (13).

“Overall, I am happy to have contributed to the team in some way this season. When you are playing regularly usually it means you are doing something right and I can only focus on working even harder next season.

“I am the type of person who always looks to improve and try to see what we can do better as a team. I guess it’s my attitude of never being satisfied.

“People close to me can attest to this. I am always looking to push the boundaries, I guess this is what has kept me going all these years.”

“Defending is a team effort. The success goes to the guys in front of me. Remember, defending starts higher up the field. Everybody is involved in making sure that we keep a clean sheet.”

League champions Mamelodi Sundowns will take part in a four-team pre-season tournament on October 10-11 as they gear up for the new 2020-21 Premier Soccer League campaign.

The Brazilians will take on a trio of KwaZulu-Natal sides in the Msunduzi Cup, facing off against AmaZulu, Lamontville Golden Arrows and hosts Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

The tournament will be played in a strict bio-bubble environment, without spectators at the venue, according to organiser Lebo Mokoena.

"It is the second year of this tournament, through which R500 000 in cash will go towards CSI initiatives and youth development in the Msunduzi Municipality."

AmaZulu were the inaugural winners of the competition in 2019 when they defeated Bidvest Wits 2-1 in the decider. Maritzburg and Golden Arrows also competed.

Sundowns will use the opportunity, likely without their international players as it falls over the Fifa International window, to build for the new season which is expected to start a week or so later.

The Premier Soccer League will announce the dates and fixtures for the new campaign once the current Promotion/Relegation Play-offs have been completed.

Maritzburg United chairman Farook Kadodia says he is hoping for “six or seven” new arrivals at the club in the coming transfer window in what will be an overhaul of the squad under coach Eric Tinkler.

Tinkler masterminded a reversal in fortunes for the side, taking them from relegation candidates to the top eight, with the KwaZulu-Natal club going into the Gauteng bio-bubble in fifth position before falling away.

"We will definitely beef up the squad. We want to have a team that is as competitive as possible and to keep on challenging, whether it's in the cup or a strong top eight position in the league,” Kadodia told his club’s website.

"We need six or seven new players. Our squad is quite thin and you must understand that Siyanda Xulu left, Miguel Timm, Gabriel Nyoni and Yusuf Jappie are no longer part of the squad, so that has left a bit of a hole.

"We would like to cement our position every season in the top five, that is our goal. Then something can be seen for all our investment. At the moment it's tough to attract a sponsor because it’s difficult when there are regular fights against relegation."

There has been speculation over the future of a number of Maritzburg stars, including defender Rushine de Reuck, who had an excellent 2019-20 campaign.

"We will make every effort to keep our best players, that’s our policy. But we also don’t want to stand in the way of players who feel they want to advance their careers elsewhere.”

Kadodia praised the work done by Tinkler and the squad, but says they now need to build on that progress.

"It was a good turnaround, and all parties played a role and a good job was done. From the board’s side, we fully supported the coach, quite a few new signings were made.

“And what was important in fighting relegation [at the end of the previous season] was to have a complete commitment from the fans.

"And the whole brand also grew stronger; the fact that we went to the Telkom Knockout final was also evidence of the work which has been done. We were very happy with the league position."

Ayanda Dlamini admits to relishing the challenge of improving AmaZulu after he was handed the head coach reins at the club on a permanent basis.

Dlamini will be assisted by the vastly experienced Alan Freese, who led Platinum Stars to the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout titles in 2013. 

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

But it is still a big job for a rookie coach, who at 35 is the youngest in South Africa’s top-flight. He at least had deep knowledge of the club, having played almost 200 games for Usuthu over seven seasons. 

“Having been here for years as a player and understanding the culture, I have to make sure that I work hard here to try and bring the happy days back for the club,” Dlamini said.

“I want to thank the management who have given me this chance to lead such a big club as we all know.

“This is a massive opportunity for me as young as I am in terms of coaching and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead with AmaZulu.”

Usuthu only survived the relegation play-offs on the final day of the season, but that was due to a solid bio-bubble under Dlamini, where the team only lost one of their six matches.

Ayanda Dlamini admits to relishing the challenge of improving AmaZulu after he was handed the head coach reins at the club on a permanent basis.

Dlamini will be assisted by the vastly experienced Alan Freese, who led Platinum Stars to the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout titles in 2013. 

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

But it is still a big job for a rookie coach, who at 35 is the youngest in South Africa’s top-flight. He at least had deep knowledge of the club, having played almost 200 games for Usuthu over seven seasons. 

“Having been here for years as a player and understanding the culture, I have to make sure that I work hard here to try and bring the happy days back for the club,” Dlamini said.

“I want to thank the management who have given me this chance to lead such a big club as we all know.

“This is a massive opportunity for me as young as I am in terms of coaching and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead with AmaZulu.”

Usuthu only survived the relegation play-offs on the final day of the season, but that was due to a solid bio-bubble under Dlamini, where the team only lost one of their six matches.

The clear-out at Kaizer Chiefs has continued after the club confirmed the early termination of assistant coach Shaun Bartlett’s contract on Thursday.

It comes a day after head coach Ernst Middendorp was relieved of his duties following the AmaKhosi’s collapse at the end of the season that saw Mamelodi Sundowns pinch the Absa Premiership title on the final day.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

“The decision to release Bartlett follows that of Amakhosi and head coach Ernst Middendorp going their separate ways yesterday.

“We wish Shaun Bartlett all the best in his future endeavours.”

Both Bartlett and Middendorp had been in charge since December 2018.

Breaking News!

Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung, the Board of Directors and the club’s management would like to further announce that they have agreed to an early termination of assistant coach Shaun Bartlett’s contract.

More info: https://t.co/aChx5QC0Jr#Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/YicI7YztOz

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 10, 2020

Kaizer Chiefs have parted ways with German coach Ernst Middendorp, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

Middendorp had Chiefs at the top of the Absa Premiership table for much of the season, but could not see them to the title as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Baroka FC on the final day of the campaign, allowing Mamelodi Sundowns to pip them to the title.

Chiefs said they had taken the decision of a “thorough review” by owner Kaizer Motaung as the club’s trophyless run now stretches past five years.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

“We deliberated and considered many aspects related to the team, including our way of playing, our performances and the results before coming to the decision,” Motaung told the club’s website.

“We truly believed and hoped that our 50th anniversary year would be better, and it indeed looked promising. The decision taken is part of a strategy to have the team win trophies again and to make our supporters happy because they deserve better.

“After giving the coach and the technical team the ammunition required to compete in the new season, there were some improvements, and this was evident during the first seven months of this 2019/2020 season.

“However, when the league restarted post-lockdown, things changed, and we looked a totally different side in our last eight league matches. We witnessed some heart-stopping performances and we were overtaken on the log in the last game of the season, which truly broke our hearts.

“We have to take responsibility – we can’t wait and allow this situation to continue.”

Middendorp took charge of Chiefs for a second spell in December 2018 and was in charge for 61 matches in all, winning 29 to go with 12 draws and 17 defeats.

AmaZulu have confirmed the permanent appointment of Ayanda Dlamini as head coach on a three-year contract after he led the side to Absa Premiership safety at the end of the 2019-20 season.

Dlamini, a former striker with the club, took over the reins on a temporary basis when Jozef Vukusic was suspended in March and led the side in seven matches with some success.

Find out more about the new channel line-up on SuperSport

His first match in charge was a 1-0 win over title-chasing Kaizer Chiefs just before the pause in the season, while overall he managed two wins, four draws and a single defeat.

He has been rewarded with the role on a permanent basis, a reward for leading the team to 13th in the top-flight, one point above the relegation play-off position.