Jessica Motaung: Kaizer Chiefs still in the race for big-name signings

Speaking at the launch of the Toyota Cup on Thursday, which will see Amakhosi face Ghanaian powerhouse Asante Kotoko at Moses Mabhida Stadium on July 26, Motaung found herself addressing more pressing concerns beyond the club's commercial activities.

While the exhibition match was welcomed as a marketing win, the bigger issue among supporters continues to be the team's recruitment strategy.

Chiefs' recent campaigns have underwhelmed, with the club finishing ninth in the Betway Premiership last season - despite ending their ten-year trophy drought by winning the Nedbank Cup.

Head coach Nasreddine Nabi has already voiced his need for better quality in the squad, intensifying scrutiny on the club's ambitions in the transfer market. Motaung, however, insists that the club is far from passive.

"The market is competitive, and we have to be honest about that. But we've always been able to bring in players of stature, and that's something we continue to pursue. I know the technical team and recruitment department are working hard behind the scenes," Motaung was quoted by Sowetan.

The club has often come under fire for not securing high-profile players reminiscent of Chiefs' glory years in the 2000s and early 2010s. But Motaung defended the current squad, using their recent cup success as a case in point.

"We need to be careful in saying we didn't have good players when those very players won us the Nedbank Cup," she added.

With Nabi at the helm and expectations reset following silverware success, Chiefs now face the challenge of not only sustaining their commercial momentum - but proving they can match it on the pitch with a squad capable of competing for the league title.