Anthony Akumu lifts lid on lucrative Kaizer Chiefs deal despite flop spell

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu has revealed that he earned an annual payment of around R1 million during his time at the South African giants, despite struggling to establish himself at the club.

Akumu joined Chiefs after making a name for himself at Zesco United in Zambia, but his spell at Naturena failed to live up to expectations. The Kenyan midfielder managed only two goals in 34 league appearances before his departure in 2022.

However, the financial terms of his move to South Africa have now offered a different perspective on his time with the club, with Akumu describing the Chiefs deal as the most lucrative contract of his career.

The former Zesco United player said Chiefs initially offered him a monthly salary of Ksh1.5 million, which was worth approximately R192,000 at the time.

“Playing in South Africa still remains my most lucrative offer because they started with a monthly salary of Ksh1.5 million (approximately R192,000),” Akumu said, as reported by KickOff.

Chiefs offer left Zesco unable to compete

Akumu explained that Chiefs approached him while his contract with Zesco was nearing its end and presented an offer he could not turn down.

The midfielder said Zesco attempted to keep him by substantially improving his salary, but the Zambian club still could not match the package offered by Chiefs.

“When my contract was about to run out in Zambia, Kaizer Chiefs approached me with an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Zesco reportedly offered Akumu Ksh500,000 per month after learning that he was considering a move away from the club.

That figure was significantly below the terms available to him in South Africa, leaving the midfielder with little reason to turn down the opportunity to join one of the continent’s most prominent clubs.

“When Zesco got wind of my intention to move, they offered me Ksh500,000 per month, but they still could not match what the South African club were offering, and so I had to leave.”

Akumu’s comments underline the financial gap between the two offers and explain why the move represented such a significant step in his career, even though his performances at Chiefs did not produce the impact expected from a foreign signing.

Annual R1m payment split into two instalments

Beyond his monthly salary, Akumu disclosed that his Chiefs contract also included an annual payment of Ksh8 million, equivalent to approximately R1 million at the time.

The payment was divided into two instalments, with the midfielder receiving half in February and the remainder in September.

“Every year, I received Ksh8 million (approximately R1 million), half of which was paid in February and the other half in September,” he added.

Akumu’s stay at Naturena did not extend through the full duration of his contract. He said the two parties eventually agreed to terminate their relationship with months remaining.

“The money was paid only twice since by the third year, we agreed to part ways with months to go.”

That meant Akumu received the annual payment on two occasions before his departure from the club.

Akumu joins long list of foreign Chiefs signings

Akumu’s time at Kaizer Chiefs ultimately became part of a wider pattern involving foreign players who struggled to make a lasting impression at the club.

The midfielder was unable to secure a regular role despite arriving with a strong reputation from his time at Zesco United. His limited goalscoring return further contributed to the perception that he was among Chiefs’ less successful foreign acquisitions.

Other overseas signings, including Jasond Gonzalez and Christian Saile, have also faced criticism during their respective spells at Naturena.

Akumu’s revelations nevertheless highlight the financial appeal of playing for Chiefs, even during a period when his performances failed to match the expectations surrounding his arrival.

Chiefs have continued to recruit from outside South Africa, with Tanzanian midfielder Adolft Mtasingwa their only foreign signing during the most recent transfer window.