Metro NewsAugust 11, 2026

'It's sad to see players go' – Chiefs star on Msimango and McCarthy exits

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Both Aden McCarthy and Given Msimango have left Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images

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'It's sad to see players go' – Chiefs star on Msimango and McCarthy exits

Aug 11, 2026 – 10:28 am
By Siya Ndlela

Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen has opened up regarding the high-profile defensive departures of Aden McCarthy and Given Msimango in Naturena.

Speaking at the official launch of the MTN8 in Randburg on Wednesday, the shot-stopper addressed the recent transfers of centre-backs Given Msimango and Aden McCarthy.

McCarthy was officially sold to Azerbaijan-based Sabah FK on 9 June after contract negotiations broke down, while Msimango parted ways with the Glamour Boys as a crucial makeweight in the player-swap deal to land Langelihle Phili from Stellenbosch FC.

“It’s obviously sad to see the players go,” Petersen told journalists.

“As players, I think you get to a stage of your career when you get used to that.

“If there is a structure in place, players come, and they go out. If the new players that come in fit into that structure, then we continue where we left off.

“Last season, we had a good defensive record, and for us what is important is to just build on that. The guys we have at the back are not new guys. They have been part of the system; maybe it’s only Thabo [Moloisane] that came in at the back.

“So for us, it’s to build on what we started last season.”

The defensive duo leaves a massive void at the back, having registered 24 matches together across all competitions as a central pairing.

Their solid partnership anchored the Amakhosi backline, playing a definitive role in helping the Soweto giants keep a total of 11 clean sheets last season.

Following the exits of the influential pair, the specific senior centre-back options left for Chiefs are now down to Zitha Kwinika, Inacio Miguel and Rushwin Dortley. Thabo Moloisane has also been brought in for relief.