The Kaizer Chiefs manager search is one of the hottest topics in South African football right now. Has a wildcard candidate emerged from under the radar?
Wildcard Kaizer Chiefs manager candidate emerges
Call him the wildcard option. Look at Sekhukhune’s form in 2024 and you’ll know this guy means business.
Lehlohonolo Seems hasn’t had the glitziest jobs, but he’s built up an impressive body of work across South Africa’s football pyramid. He’s enjoyed various roles at the now-defunct Bloem Celtic, the caretaker manager tole at Black Leopards and then head coaching jobs at Chippa, Golden Arrows and Polokwane City. Sekhukhune hired Seema in November 2023. In just four months, he’s overseen nine league matches. He’s won five of those, with three draws and one defeat. This is a SERIOUS football team and they’re punching above their weight.
Sekhukhune’s impressive rise
Since promotion to the top tier as recently as 2021/22, Sekhukhune has become an established DStv Premiership team. They finished 11th in their first-ever campaign and followed it up with a creditable 7th place last season, finishing below Stellenbosch only on goal difference. Babina Noko also got to the Nedbank Cup final last term. They’re currently fourth, although their position is under threat from in-form TS Galaxy who can leapfrog Babina Noka by winning their game in hand. It’s astonishing to think that these two teams are odds-on favourites to finish inside the top 8 ahead of the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport. Sead Ramović and Mr Seema must be doing something right.
Next up for Seems’s side is a clash with second-placed Stellenbosch, another emerging force. The sides battled to a 0-0 draw on April 6th and will contest the reverse fixture tonight (Wednesday 17 April) at 19:30.
LUXEMBURGO TO SHUN CHIEFS FOR CHILE?
Vastly experienced Brazilian boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo left Brazilian giants Corinthians in September last year. According to the latest rumours, the 71-year-old former Real Madrid boss has his heart set on a move to Chile with Club Deportivo Tricolor. Luxemburgo, a veteran of the Brazilian scene, led the national team to Copa America glory in 1999. Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu were just a few of the illustrious names in that squad.
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