Lilepo future in doubt as Kaizer Chiefs boss Da Cruz confirms winger has “other opportunities”

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernardo Da Cruz has admitted Glody Lilepo is likely to leave the club, confirming the influential winger is exploring “other opportunities elsewhere” ahead of the 2026-27 Betway Premiership season.

The 28-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo international, a key figure in Chiefs’ recent revival, has been absent from the club’s pre-season preparations and did not travel with the squad to Spain, prompting speculation over his future.

Speaking to the media, Da Cruz moved to clarify the situation, indicating that both the player and the club were open to a possible move.

“Lilepo he has other opportunities elsewhere,” Da Cruz said. “And the management is open to listen as the institution.”

Key player missing from pre-season

Lilepo’s absence has been notable given his status as one of Amakhosi’s most important attacking players since arriving at Naturena.

He joined Kaizer Chiefs in January 2025 from French Ligue 1 side Valenciennes FC for an undisclosed fee and made an immediate impact at Amakhosi, scoring four goals and providing one assist in his first half-season.

Those contributions were instrumental as Chiefs ended a decade-long wait for silverware by lifting the Nedbank Cup, bringing to a close a 10-year trophy drought that had weighed heavily on the club and its supporters.

Form carried into following campaign

The winger carried that form into the following campaign, quickly underlining his value to the team at the start of last season.

Lilepo scored the winning goal in Chiefs’ opening league fixture away to Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town, setting the tone for a productive year in front of goal.

By the end of the season, he had accumulated nine goals and four assists in all competitions, fulfilling the high expectations placed on him by the club’s fanbase and reinforcing his reputation as one of the side’s main attacking outlets.

Supporters, buoyed by his performances and the Nedbank Cup triumph, had anticipated that Lilepo would be central to Chiefs’ plans for the 2026-27 campaign under new head coach Da Cruz.

Future remains unresolved

Instead, preparations for the new season began without him, with his omission from the Spain training camp fuelling uncertainty and debate among supporters about his next move.

Da Cruz’s comments appear to confirm that a departure is on the table, although he stopped short of providing details on possible destinations or whether formal offers have been received.

The coach’s reference to club management being “open to listen” suggests Chiefs are prepared to negotiate if suitable proposals arrive, but there has been no official confirmation of talks with any specific club.

Toyota Cup involvement unlikely

In the short term, Lilepo looks unlikely to feature as Chiefs step up their on-field preparations.

The Glamour Boys face Scottland FC in the Toyota Cup clash on Sunday, and indications are that the former Valenciennes FC attacker will not be involved in the squad for that fixture.

With the new Betway Premiership season approaching and Lilepo’s situation unresolved, Chiefs face the prospect of losing a player who has been central to their recent success, just as a new era under Da Cruz begins.