Kaizer Chiefs Transfer News: Why Chiefs Dropped Their Interest in Fiston Mayele
Kaizer Chiefs have seemingly decided to pull the plug on their pursuit of Pyramids FC striker Fiston Mayele, following ongoing frustrations with the Egyptian club’s handling of negotiations.
The potential deal for the Congolese frontman has been riddled with challenges, most notably due to Pyramids FC’s inconsistent pricing.
Endless Negotiation Woes
Kaizer Chiefs initially expressed strong interest in Mayele, with head coach Nasreddine Nabi reportedly even making personal contact with the player in December 2024, hoping to address Amakhosi’s long-standing goalscoring issues.
However, every time the club made an approach, the asking price increased—driven by mounting interest from other teams and Pyramids’ reluctance to sell. Sources close to the situation suggest that the Egyptian outfit is now looking to secure Mayele on a new contract, further complicating any potential transfer.
“The Chiefs have grown weary of the constant back and forth,” a source familiar with the matter explained. “Each time they show intent, the price changes. With Pyramids now pushing to extend Mayele’s deal, the situation has become more of a dead end than a negotiation.”
Kaizer Chiefs Shift in Strategy
Given the escalating complications, Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly chosen to walk away from the deal—for now. Their attention has since shifted, and they’ve already made moves to reinforce their attacking options by signing Glody Lilepo, indicating that Mayele may no longer be central to their plans.
Mayele, who was recently in South Africa for the CAF Champions League final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns, acknowledged the contact from Chiefs but declined to go into detail. Speaking to the media ahead of the match, he confirmed that there had been a call from Nabi, but his current focus remains on helping Pyramids succeed on the continental stage.
“Coach Nabi did reach out in December, but now is not the right time to talk about that,” said Mayele. “I’m focused on the final. Once the season is over, people can speculate as they please.”
Looking Ahead: Dortley’s Road to Recovery
While Kaizer Chiefs may have shelved their plans to land Mayele, they are hopeful about the recovery of defender Rushwin Dortley. The young centre-back underwent knee surgery in March 2025 for a condition that turned out to be more serious than initially expected. Though there’s no clear timeline for his return, it’s anticipated he won’t feature until at least September.
The club is taking a cautious approach to his rehabilitation, prioritising a full recovery over rushing him back. Despite the setback, Dortley remains positive, and Chiefs believe his experience will build mental toughness, which could serve him well for the future.
Also read: Kaizer Chiefs Captain Yusuf Maart Included in Bafana Preliminary Squad
Kaizer Chiefs’ decision to step away from the Mayele deal highlights the challenges of negotiating in a competitive transfer market, especially when dealing with clubs unwilling to budge. With new signings already in place and players like Dortley working their way back, the club seems to be recalibrating its strategy—choosing stability and long-term planning over drawn-out transfer sagas.
