Ex-Kaizer Chiefs striker Collins Mbesuma joins Marumo Gallants’ technical team

Marumo Gallants have brought former Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Collins Mbesuma into their technical set-up, although the club has yet to confirm whether the Zambian has formally signed.

Mbesuma arrived at the Betway Premiership club recently and is understood to be helping the team’s forwards during training. A player at Marumo Gallants said the former striker has been working specifically on improving the finishing and overall play of the club’s attacking players.

“He’s a Strikers Coach, but he only comes to training. He was not in camp with us when we played Kruger United,” said the player.

Mbesuma was not part of the team’s camp for their match against Kruger United, but has attended training sessions in his reported coaching role.

Marumo Gallants official Rufus Matsena was unable to confirm whether Mbesuma had completed a deal with the club. He said further information would be available after the matter had been checked.

“Give me a few days and I will get you the information,” he said when this publication inquired.

The 42-year-old enjoyed a distinguished playing career in South Africa, representing each of the country’s leading clubs: Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

He is seventh on the Premier Soccer League’s all-time scoring chart with 103 goals. Mbesuma is also one of only two players to have won the PSL top-scorer award at least twice.

His most notable domestic campaign came with Kaizer Chiefs in the 2004/05 season. Mbesuma scored 25 league goals as the club won the title and finished the campaign as the division’s leading scorer.

He later claimed the scoring prize again during the 2015/16 campaign, when he played for the now-defunct Mpumalanga Black Aces. He finished that season with 14 goals.

The only player to have won the PSL top-scorer award three times is Peter Shalulile, who achieved the feat in 2019/20, 2021/22 and 2022/23. Shalulile played for Highlands Park and Mamelodi Sundowns during those campaigns.

Mbesuma’s arrival gives Marumo Gallants the benefit of a former prolific striker’s experience around their forwards, but the club’s official position on his employment remains outstanding. For now, his involvement appears to be limited to training, with no confirmation that he travelled with the squad for the Kruger United fixture.