Kaizer Chiefs appear poised for a significant squad overhaul under new head coach Nasreddine Nabi, with winger Happy Mashiane reportedly the first high-profile name facing an exit.
According to sources close to the club, the Amakhosi technical team, led by Nabi, has decided to release the 26-year-old Mashiane ahead of the 2024/25 season. The primary reason cited is that the Tunisian coach has not been impressed with the player during the initial assessment phase of pre-season.
Discussions are now understood to be underway between Mashiane’s representatives and the Chiefs management regarding the terms of his departure. **Both a permanent transfer and a loan move are currently on the table** as the club seeks to facilitate his exit.
Mashiane, an academy graduate, burst onto the scene in the 2020/21 season, showing flashes of exciting potential with his pace and direct running on the left flank. He famously scored the opening goal in the CAF Champions League semi-final second leg against Wydad Casablanca, helping Chiefs reach their first-ever final.
However, his career trajectory at Naturena has been inconsistent. A costly red card early in that same Champions League final against Al Ahly remains a significant low point. Injuries and fluctuating form have limited his impact over the past few seasons, seeing him fall down the pecking order under previous coaches Stuart Baxter, Arthur Zwane, and Cavin Johnson.
Nabi’s arrival, signalling a new tactical direction and demanding high standards, seems to have accelerated the decision. The coach is keen to mould a squad in his image, prioritizing players who fit his system and demonstrate the required consistency and intensity.
Mashiane’s potential departure signals Nabi’s intent to be decisive in shaping his squad. It frees up space and resources as Chiefs actively pursue new signings, particularly in wide areas, to bolster their attack for the upcoming campaign.
While a loan move could offer Mashiane a chance to regain form and prove himself elsewhere before a potential return, a permanent transfer would mark a definitive end to his up-and-down journey with the Glamour Boys, which began with such promise.
The coming days are expected to bring clarity on Mashiane’s immediate future as negotiations progress. His exit, whether temporary or permanent, stands as one of the first major indicators of Nabi’s vision for the rebuilding Kaizer Chiefs.
