Kaizer Chiefs may need to look towards Golden Arrows if they want to solve their ongoing goalscoring problems, with former Amakhosi defender Tsepo Masilela backing Junior Dion as a potential solution.
The Ivorian-born striker enjoyed a standout campaign last season, scoring 14 league goals and establishing himself as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.
Dion has wasted little time continuing that form this season, already finding the net four times.
For Masilela, those numbers are enough to make the Golden Arrows forward a serious option for Chiefs, particularly with Fernando Da Cruz’s current attacking options struggling with injuries and inconsistency.
Masilela backs Dion for Chiefs
Speaking to Peter Du Toit on SoccerBeat, Masilela highlighted Dion’s ability to consistently find the back of the net and make an impact against the league’s biggest teams.
The former Bafana Bafana left-back pointed to injury concerns surrounding Etiosa Ighodaro and Khanyisa Mayo, while Flavio Silva has yet to produce goals on a consistent basis.
Masilela believes Dion could offer Chiefs something different in the final third.
“He scores goals,” Masilela said, highlighting Dion’s ability to get into dangerous positions and punish opponents inside the box.
The striker’s performance against Mamelodi Sundowns was another reason for Masilela’s recommendation. For him, Dion has demonstrated that he can deliver against the stronger teams and is not simply a player who scores against struggling opposition.
Farouk Khan agrees Chiefs need a striker
Former Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan also believes the club could benefit from bringing in a physically imposing centre-forward.
Khan feels a striker with Dion’s physical presence could give Chiefs a different dimension in attack, particularly by allowing the club’s younger attacking talents more freedom.
The former coach suggested that players such as Mdaka Vilakazi, Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala could become more effective if they had a strong target man capable of holding up the ball and occupying defenders.
“Chiefs need a balance upfront,” Khan’s assessment suggests, with the club potentially lacking a traditional focal point in attack.
Chiefs’ striker dilemma
Chiefs have been active in the transfer market this season, making six signings, but Mayo remains the only recognised striker added to the squad after his loan move was made permanent.
The issue was particularly noticeable in the recent 3-2 victory over Siwelele, when Da Cruz opted not to start with an out-and-out striker.
That tactical decision has only intensified the debate about whether Chiefs need another proven goalscorer.
Dion’s record makes him an intriguing candidate. He scored 14 goals last season, has already added four this campaign and appears to possess the physical and finishing qualities that Masilela and Khan believe could benefit Amakhosi.
However, turning interest into an actual transfer would depend on Golden Arrows’ willingness to sell and Chiefs’ ability to agree on a deal.
Should Chiefs Sign Junior Dion?
With the Amakhosi still searching for greater consistency in front of goal, the question is becoming difficult to ignore:
Would Junior Dion be the striker Kaizer Chiefs need to take their attack to another level?
Or should Da Cruz stick with his current options and trust them to find their scoring form?
Amakhosi fans, would you sign Dion?
