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Kaizer Chiefs have started scouring the market for an experienced goalkeeper in the wake of Itumeleng Khune’s long-term injury.
The 31-year-old goalie underwent shoulder surgery this week and Amakhosi have estimated that he will be out for six months.
The setback has also left Bafana Bafana thin in goal ahead of their make-or-break Afcon qualifier against Libya on March 22.
Should Bafana reach the continental tournament in Egypt, Khune would still not be ready to feature for coach Stuart Baxter at the June 15 to July 13 event.
Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung confirmed Amakhosi were out to beef up the depleted keeper department.
Amid the team’s hectic schedule across the Absa Premiership, Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup, Motaung said the process would not just be a stop-gap measure, but a long-term solution to avert potential crises in the long run.
“Definitely, we have to beef up the goalkeeping department because of Itu’s injury, but we are looking at the future as well,” Motaung told City Press.
Amakhosi currently rely on Virgil Vries as No 1, with 23-year-olds Bruce Bvuma and Brylon Petersen as back-ups.
“We are looking at a keeper or two [and] we have to go local because we don’t have a foreign player’s space at the moment.
“It has to be a high-profile [keeper]. We need someone to come in and compete,” said Motaung.
Khune, with 17 appearances in all competitions this season, last played in Chiefs’ away CAF Confederation Cup game against Elgeco Plus of Madagascar last month.
Bvuma featured in one official game this season, in Amakhosi’s 2-2 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic in August, when Khune was sidelined by an arm injury.
Coach Ernst Middendorp said he was impressed by Bvuma’s performance in the team’s friendly game against touring German side SV Werder Bremen last Sunday.
The youngster was on the bench in Chiefs’ 2-0 Absa Premiership win over log leaders Bidvest Wits on Wednesday, where Namibian international Vries redeemed himself with a clean sheet after his howler gifted Mamelodi Sundowns maximum points last weekend.
Motaung added that it was not only the last line of defence that Chiefs intended to reinforce as the team’s key defenders were also recovering from an assortment of injuries.
Amakhosi and Wits confirmed that talks were still ongoing over the possible transfer of former SA Under-23 defender Reeve Frosler (20).
Speculation was rife that Chiefs were attempting to lure Ugandan striker Emmanuel Okwi (26) from Simba Sports Club of Tanzania, who are in the CAF Champions League group stage.
“Maybe he is linked with us, but there’s nothing,” said Motaung with a wry smile.
When pressed about his recent trip to Tanzania, he said: “We talk with different clubs. We were in Tanzania, but there is nothing so far that has materialised.
“[But] anything can happen before the end of the January [transfer window].”
Meanwhile, Chiefs will resume their Confederation Cup campaign against Zesco United of Zambia today.
Middendorp said he was hoping to get at least a point and manage the second leg at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
“It will be a hectic game, but there is no need to rush or panic,” said the German.
He added that midfielder Willard Katsande had recovered from a muscle strain and was back in contention for a berth in the game at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The game kicks off at 3pm.
The aggregate winner of the play-off will progress to the group stage.
