Kaizer Chiefs sign Bafana Bafana defender Thabo Moloisane as first 2026/27 recruit

Kaizer Chiefs have made their first signing ahead of the 2026/27 season, bringing in Bafana Bafana defender Thabo Moloisane shortly after announcing a new head coach.

The Soweto club confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the 27-year-old centre-back had joined Amakhosi. Moloisane arrives as a free agent after leaving Stellenbosch FC, completing the move at a significant moment for the club as preparations begin for the new campaign.

His arrival represents the first player recruitment announced by Kaizer Chiefs since the club revealed its new head coach. The signing also gives the Glamour Boys an experienced defender following Moloisane’s impressive 2025/26 season in the Cape Winelands.

Moloisane played more than 1,800 minutes of competitive football for Stellenbosch FC during the campaign. Those appearances came across 33 matches, a run that helped establish him as one of the most sought-after defenders in the country.

The centre-back’s performances attracted attention beyond Stellenbosch FC, with Kaizer Chiefs understood to have faced competition from both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns for his signature.

By securing Moloisane’s services, Amakhosi have moved quickly to strengthen their squad before the 2026/27 season. The defender’s combination of regular competitive action and international recognition with Bafana Bafana made him a prominent target during the opening stages of the club’s recruitment planning.

Moloisane’s move brings his time with Stellenbosch FC to an end after a campaign in which he featured regularly and accumulated more than 1,800 minutes on the pitch. His 33 appearances underline the level of involvement he had in the side’s 2025/26 season and explain why he was viewed as a leading defensive option in the domestic game.

Kaizer Chiefs’ announcement follows the confirmation of a new head coach and marks the beginning of what is expected to be a fresh squad-building phase at the Soweto giants. For now, Moloisane is the first player to be formally unveiled for the club’s 2026/27 campaign.

The competition for his signature highlights the defender’s standing in South African football. Both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns were understood to be interested, but Kaizer Chiefs have won the race to sign the former Stellenbosch FC player.

The 27-year-old will now join the Glamour Boys after his standout season in the Cape Winelands, with the club confirming his arrival as their first signing ahead of the new campaign.