Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Tshepo Masilela expressed doubt about the club's decision to sign goalkeeper Renaldo Liner, insisting that he is not convinced that the former Sekhukhune United goalkeeper is a suitable solution.
Arrival of the New Goalkeeper
Chiefs announced the signing of Liner on Monday, as the 28-year-old footballer joined the club as a free agent after leaving Sekhukhune United. Liner arrives at Naturena following an impressive 2025/26 season, in which he received his first call-up to the Bafana Bafana national team.
Goalkeeping Squad and Requirements
He adds to the goalkeeping squad, which includes club captain Petersen, Bruce Bwumu, Rwandan international Fiacre Ntwari, Bontle Molefe, and promising young player Takalani Mazwambu, who recently joined the South African youth team. Since Glamour Boys plans to participate in the Betway Premiership, MTN8, and CAF Confederation Cup this season, the new goalkeeping coach Olivier Sorin will likely rely on significant squad depth due to the increasing load in the match schedule.
Despite the increased competition, Masilela believes that Chiefs is still looking for a reliable backup goalkeeper, and he is not sure that Liner answers this question. Masilela stated on SoccerBeat: 'When it comes to goalkeepers, I would say you need a second. A second whom you know is my stable second for the upcoming season.'
Questions About the Current Squad
He questioned the reliability of the current backups, asking: 'Looking at last season, is Bruce the second at Kaizer Chiefs? I don't think so. Is Ntwari the second at Kaizer Chiefs? Meaning are these guys a trusted second?' He continued, questioning reliability: 'You can be the second, yes, but are you trustworthy? If something goes wrong, if the primary choice or Brandon Petersen gets a long-term injury, can we count on you?'
Masilela also believes that Liner's arrival could mean the end of Bruce Bwumu's or Ntwari's career at the club. Bwumu recently extended his contract with the club, while Ntwari has a contract for another two seasons. He noted that the management, in his opinion, is looking for a 'trusted second goalkeeper, a goalkeeper they can trust, someone they can rely on if something goes wrong.'
Potential Squad Changes
Masilela added that Brandon often suffers minor injuries, missing two or three matches before returning. Given that Kaizer Chiefs qualified for Africa again, meaning more games, and they are in the MTN8 this season, he suggested that the club does not need a goalkeeper because they have Petersen. Instead, he believes they need midfielders, defenders, and forwards.
He concluded that because of this signing, someone must leave the club: 'With this signing, I see that one must leave. It is either Bruce or Ntwari. I think one will leave Kaizer Chiefs. I am not sure who leaves, but I have a strong feeling that one must go.'
Main Concern About the Free Agent
However, Masilela's biggest concern was Liner's status as a free agent, and he questioned why Sekhukhune United allowed such a high-caliber goalkeeper to leave without receiving a transfer fee. He asked: 'I am convinced that the new goalkeeper is their best second or trusted one? When you leave Sekhukhune as a free agent, and we ask ourselves: 'Why?' '
Masilela concluded that he is unconvinced, emphasizing that the move from Sekhukhune to Chiefs is a completely different environment, different pressure, and a different system, and expectations are very high.