Doctor Khumalo Urges Kaizer Chiefs to Retain Out-of-Favour Players Ahead of CAF Return

With Kaizer Chiefs preparing for a return to continental competition in the 2025/26 season, club legend Doctor Khumalo has urged the Soweto giants to hold onto their out-of-favour players, warning that squad depth will be crucial as the club juggles domestic and CAF Confederations Cup duties.

Chiefs endured a largely forgettable campaign in the Betway Premiership, finishing ninth with just nine wins from 28 matches—a disappointing tally for a club of their stature. Despite their league struggles, a late-season resurgence saw them claim the Nedbank Cup, securing a much-needed ticket to next season’s CAF Confederations Cup and offering a glimmer of hope heading into the new campaign.

That continental qualification now places a fresh spotlight on squad planning at Naturena, with increased fixtures set to test the team’s depth and resilience. It also potentially reopens the door for players who had previously fallen down the pecking order, including attacking midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane.

Mdantsane, who is set to return to Chiefs after a loan spell at Richards Bay, finds himself at a career crossroads. While Chiefs are reportedly open to selling the player—who still has a year left on his contract—Khumalo believes the club would be wise to reassess his value.

Speaking on Soccer Zone, Khumalo made a passionate case for Mdantsane’s reintegration into the squad. “It will be good for Mdu [to go back to Chiefs],” Khumalo said. “Because remember, at Chiefs he was not getting game-time and the reason why loan players are sent out is for them to get game time so that when they come back, they can say at least they gained experience.”

Khumalo added that even if his time at Richards Bay didn’t go as planned, Mdantsane still has qualities that Chiefs could benefit from. “The unfortunate part is that if at Richards Bay they don’t want him, then he has to go back to Kaizer Chiefs, and from where I am sitting, with my experience and what I saw from Mdu, he can come in handy.”

His comments arrive at a time when Chiefs will be tasked with building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Alongside domestic rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch FC, Amakhosi will carry South Africa’s hopes in continental tournaments next season.

While new signings are expected under incoming head coach Nasreddine Nabi, Khumalo’s message is clear—success in Africa may not just hinge on new faces but also on smart decisions about those already within the club. As the pre-season draws near, Kaizer Chiefs will need to carefully consider which players can still play a role in their new chapter.