Chiefs To Follow Sundowns In Colombian Market?

After the success of Brayan Leon at Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs Head of Scouting Thembela Maliwa has explained why he is in love with the Colombian market.

Signed only in January, Leon has already scored 15 goals in 24 matches for Sundowns, and his prowess in front of goal has been hailed as one of the major reasons the Brazilians have reached the CAF Champions League final.

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The rise of Colombian players in world football is starting to take shape, as Maliwa feels vindicated of being “obsessed” with this particular market in South America.

Masandawana have been scouting players from South America who raise the bar in the PSL, with Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro Costa leaving the club last season on the back of being crowned Footballer of the Season, among his numerous accolades.

Even though Chiefs burned their fingers with the signing of Jasond Gonzalez in August 2023 (before the arrival of Maliwa), the former Sundowns scout still believes the Colombian market has big potential.

“Insight, for the past eight years, I've been travelling around South America for scouting. But in the last three years, I have been so obsessed with the Colombian market,” Maliwa wrote on his LinkedIn account.

“To add to that, Colombian players have been moving to big leagues around the world. In 2024, players like Kevin Viveros (striker) caught my eye while he was playing for Atlético Nacional. For me, he is one of the deadliest strikers.

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“He has just moved to Serie A in Brazil for Club Athletico Paranaense. He can play in any big league around the world. I'm in love with the Colombian market,” Maliwa wrote.

It remains to be seen if Chiefs will make any foreign signings ahead of the 2026/27 season, with goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, Inacio Miguel, Makabi Lilepo, Etiosa Ighodaro and Flavio Silva all contracted beyond the current campaign.