PSL move now unlikely for Fiston Mayele with European clubs knocking

By Mazola Molefe
19th May 2023

Young Africans coach Nasreddine Nabi has all but ruled out a move to the Premier Soccer League for striker Fiston Mayele, who was previously linked with Kaizer Chiefs.

Mayele helped Yanga put Marumo Gallants to the sword as his side progressed to the CAF Confederation Cup final after a 2-1 victory at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday saw them progress with a 4-1 aggregate semi-final result.

The 28-year-old DR Congo attacker had been linked with Chiefs prior to Amakhosi settling on another foward in Burundian international Caleb Bimenyimana at the start of the 2022/23 season and then later adding Christian Saile – also from the DRC.

The decision was met with some surprise in the football fraternity, given Mayele had a bigger profile and better pedigree than the two abovementioned strikers.

Following his move from AS Vita in his native country to the Tanzania league, Mayele announced himself by netting 20 goals in all competitions during his maiden season with Young Africans.

His numbers in the current campaign are even better with 30 goals so far – 17 in the Premier League and the rest from their Confederation Cup campaign, where they will now meet USM Alger in the final next month.

SABC Sport spoke to his coach Nabi, who revealed several suitors from South Africa, Middle East and Europe are on the tail of their talisman.

“I am very happy with the impact Fiston has had at the club because I was part of his recruitment from AS Vita,” Nabi, through a translator, said with a grin.

“We’ve seen him grow, but unfortunately there’s a lot of competition. He is wanted everywhere – in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, France, and maybe even Belgium.

"He’s a fantastic player and to get him here in South Africa, maybe, you’d have to pay way too much money – he is needed.”

A report in the Tanzanian press last month quoted Mayele confirming that his contract is up in June next year – and Nabi also verified this.

But when Chiefs were sniffing around, the striker had come highly recommended by the club’s then-CEO and SA-born administrator Senzo Mbatha, and it is understood Mayele would have been available as a free agent.

Amakhosi opted against snapping up the now hot and in-demand star, whose price tag would almost certainly skyrocket should he help his side to a maiden continental crown, after also recently bagging their 29th domestic championship.