The squad overhaul at Naturena is far from finished. Ambitious new Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz is ruthlessly trimming his squad ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign, with three more high-profile stars reportedly heading toward the exit door.
Amakhosi have already officially severed ties with six players this window, including Aden McCarthy, George Matlou, Happy Mashiane, Tashreeq Morris, Fiacre Ntwari, and most recently, Gaston Sirino. Now, insiders reveal that Glody Lilepo, Thabo Cele, and Ashley Du Preez are the next names on the chopping block.
The Omitted Duo: Lilepo and Cele Left Behind
Eyebrows were raised when both Lilepo and Cele were completely excluded from the Glamour Boys’ pre-season traveling squad to Alicante, Spain. History shows that under Da Cruz, being left back in South Africa is the ultimate writing on the wall—as was the case right before Sirino’s departure.
- Glody Lilepo: The Congolese attacker is on the verge of a lucrative exit. Moroccan giants AS FAR have reportedly tabled a substantial, multi-million rand offer that the Amakhosi board is seriously reviewing. With decision-makers reportedly aligned on a sale, the winger’s 18-month stay in Johannesburg is structurally at its end.
- Thabo Cele: The central midfielder’s future is equally bleak. Despite having two years remaining on his current contract, SABC Sport reports that delicate negotiations are underway behind the scenes to reach a mutual financial settlement, allowing both parties to part ways immediately.
The Ashley Du Preez Conundrum
Completing the expected departure trio is speedy forward Ashley Du Preez. His former employers, Stellenbosch FC, are aggressively pushing to bring him back to the Western Cape. Rumors indicate a potential player-plus-cash swap deal involving Stellies’ young starlet Langelihle Phili moving to Naturena. To complicate matters, staying at Chiefs would require Du Preez to accept a heavy wage reduction—making a move away the most logical resolution for all parties involved.
