Kaizer Chiefs will host AmaZulu in the DStv Premiership on Saturday as both go in search of a first victory in the league this season.
These are two of the grand old teams of South African football, with a rich history behind them. That includes player movements between the two clubs.
We pick five of the more interesting moves between the clubs from the past.
NEIL TOVEY
Probably the most high-profile is the switch that Neil Tovey made from AmaZulu to Chiefs in 1990, where he would go on to enjoy incredible domestic success. He was a stalwart form Usuthu and scored for them in a 5-1 victory over Chiefs in 1986 that remains the Soweto side’s biggest ever defeat. Tovey was made Chiefs captain a few years after his arrival at Naturena and it was there that he was switched from midfield to central defence by French coach Philippe Troussier. He remained at Chiefs until his retirement in 1999, winning two league titles and numerous cup trophies. It was certainly an excellent bit of business by Chiefs to bring him on board.
LEHLOHONOLO MAJORO
Majoro burst onto the scene with AmaZulu in the 2010/11 season when he netted 14 goals in his first campaign as a professional. That led to a host of clubs chasing his signature and it was Chiefs who won the race ahead of 2011/12. He scored 10 league goals in his first campaign and nine in his second as he was in important player in the group even as the side failed to live up to expectations. By this third season his influence was waning and midway through he made the switch to Chiefs’ arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, shocking many in local football. He scored 27 goals in 45 starts for Chiefs during his stay, though had almost as many appearances off the bench too.
RAMAHLWE MPHAHLELE
Mphahlele recently made the switch in the opposite direction as he left Chiefs for AmaZulu at the start of the 2022/23 season. He had spent six seasons at Naturena, some good and bad times, and was a regular figure last season despite issues with coach Romain Folz. He has stated all three league games this campaign and at the age of 33 is now an elder statesman, but also a very fine player who has helped Usuthu keep clean-sheets in all their matches to date. He has certainly been a fibe acquisition for them.
EMMANUEL NGOBESE
The late ‘Scara’ Ngobese left AmaZulu for Chiefs in 2004 and spent three seasons there, becoming a hugely popular player with the fans. A creative attacking midfielder, he was easy on the eye when on the ball and could come up with crowd-pleasing flicks and tricks, but also match-winning performances. He had started out in the Chiefs development and despite playing elsewhere first, it was at Chiefs where he shone. The departure of coach Ted Dumitru had an effect on his form and influence, and he left for Thanda Royal Zulu. Sadly he passed away at the age of 29 in 2010 after a battle with tuberculosis.
BRILLIANT KHUZWAYO
Goalkeeper Khuzwayo spent six seasons at Chiefs following his move from AmaZulu in 2012, though much of that was in the shadow of Itumeleng Khune. He proved a more than able deputy though and was a star when called upon, especially in the title-winning 2014/15 season when he played in 16 of their 30 league games as the team romped to the championship win. He was also a star of their 2014 MTN8 final win over Orlando Pirates. He made 33 appearances in all for Chiefs before moving on to rivals Pirates in 2018/19, though he never played a game for The Buccaneers as injuries took their toll and forced him into retirement.
