Chiefs new boy Mtasingwa earns high praise from club legend after Toyota Cup debut

Kaizer Chiefs great Willard Katsande says new signing Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko has the attributes to become a major figure at Naturena after an assured debut in the Toyota Cup on Sunday.

The 27-year-old defensive midfielder started for Amakhosi in their 1-0 victory over Zimbabwean side Scottland FC at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, a result that secured Chiefs’ first Toyota Cup title.

Mtasingwa, who recently arrived from Tanzanian club Azam FC, where he served as captain, was given his first run-out by head coach Fernando da Cruz as part of the team’s preparations for the 2026/27 season.

Katsande impressed by instant impact

Katsande, who anchored the Chiefs midfield for more than a decade, believes the Tanzania international has already shown he can add real value to the squad.

“He is a quality player, he is a top player and I believe he will add a lot to the team,” Katsande told KickOff.com.

“In the minutes he played, he was very solid. He showed the qualities of a good midfielder.

“Remember, he only started training with the team last week, but look at how he performed. It was like he had been there for a long time.”

The former Zimbabwe international, who knows the demands of the club intimately, said Mtasingwa’s composure and positioning stood out, particularly given his limited time with his new team-mates.

Pressure to adapt quickly

Despite the positive first impression, Katsande warned that Mtasingwa must settle quickly into life at Chiefs because of the expectations surrounding the club.

“But what is needed now from him is to settle in fast. At Chiefs, there is no time because it is a big club and the supporters want results,” he added.

“From what I saw, he is a top player and looks like he is going to help the team.”

Katsande’s comments underline the scrutiny that comes with wearing the Chiefs jersey, where new recruits are often judged from their earliest performances.

Role under Fernando da Cruz

Mtasingwa’s arrival from Azam FC is part of Fernando da Cruz’s broader effort to reshape and reinforce his squad ahead of the new campaign.

As a defensive midfielder who captained his previous club, Mtasingwa is expected to bring leadership and stability in front of the back four, an area that has traditionally been central to Chiefs’ success and one where Katsande himself once excelled.

Da Cruz has moved to strengthen key positions before the 2026/27 season, and Mtasingwa’s early display in the Toyota Cup suggests he could become a regular fixture if he maintains this level.

Attention turns to league opener

Following his promising first appearance in Chiefs colours, Mtasingwa will now look to build momentum when Amakhosi open their new campaign against top-flight newcomers Kruger United on Saturday.

The match will offer the midfielder an immediate opportunity to translate his cup form into the league as he continues to adapt to his new surroundings and the demands of one of Africa’s biggest clubs.