Elias Mokwana has completed his dream move to Kaizer Chiefs FC, a transfer the lifelong supporter has waited years to finalise. The 26-year-old winger joins as a free agent after mutually parting ways with Tunisian side Esperance Sportive de Tunis earlier this year. He arrives at a club sitting 5th in the Betway Premiership with 14 points from nine games, a record of three wins, five draws and one loss.

Mokwana grew up supporting the Soweto giants and revealed the move was a dream come true. He shared the news with his mother and sisters, expressing excitement about joining a club he described as having good people. His arrival at Naturena comes after a potential move in 2024 was delayed, leading to his stint abroad where he registered seven goals and four assists in 38 appearances for Esperance.

Head coach Fernando Da Cruz has welcomed the player's technical ability, calling Mokwana a very good, experienced player with international quality. However, Da Cruz immediately tempered expectations for an instant impact. The medical team will monitor his metrics closely over the next fortnight, meaning he might have to wait before making his competitive debut. The coach specifically noted that Mokwana needs to work on his goal minutes, a key metric the staff will be tracking during his initial training period.

Fitness and team context

The upcoming international window provides a vital period for the coaching staff to work with Mokwana on regaining match fitness and familiarising himself with the squad. His integration comes as Kaizer Chiefs look to improve on a mixed start to the Betway Premiership season. The team currently sits fifth in the standings with 14 points from nine games, having won three, drawn five and lost one. Their recent form shows a team struggling for consistency, with just one win in their last five league matches, a run that includes three draws and the recent defeat to Orlando Pirates. Their last five results, in reverse order, are two wins, one draw and two defeats. They are 12 points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race.

Their most recent outing was a 2-1 defeat to rivals Orlando Pirates on October 31, where P. Mmodi scored their consolation goal. This followed a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy on October 27, a game in which W. Duba scored a hat-trick. The team's top scorer this season is M. Shabalala with two goals in six appearances. The side has scored 14 goals and conceded 10 this campaign.

Mokwana, who has previously played for Sekhukhune United and had a loan spell at Al-Hazem, aims to prove himself and help bring trophies back to the club. He has been assigned the number 14 shirt.

Chiefs' next fixture is an away trip to face seventh-placed Chippa United on Saturday 28 November. Supporters eager to see the new signing will likely get their first chance in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final clash against Siwelele, where Mokwana could make his competitive bow for the club he has always supported.

First reported at soccerladuma.co.za