The search for former midfielder Njabulo Blom's successor at Kaizer Chiefs is underway, Soccer Laduma can exclusively reveal.
Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has been diplomatic in the media when speaking about the club's plans to fill the void left by Blom, insisting that he will be happy if academy graduate Samkelo Zwane settles in the role.
However, Zwane admitted that they continue to look for quality players in the market who can add quality to the side.
Read: Blom Opens Up On His Last Game For Chiefs, Soweto Derby
As reported in edition 1307 of the publication, available at your nearest outlet, the Siya crew has gathered information that TS Galaxy defensive midfielder Bathusi Aubaas has attracted interest from Chiefs.
Soccer Laduma has been led to believe that Aubaas has been earmarked by the scouting team at Amakhosi, led by Head of Technical Molefi Ntseki, as a one of the possible replacement for Blom.
Zwane has started in all three Chiefs games prior to the big encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns, since the restart in defensive midfield but there has been criticism from club legends that the team lacks balance, especially after back-to-back defeats and indications are that Aubaas is one of the options being considered, for a defensive midfielder who can hit the ground running.
Aubaas has featured in all Galaxy games so far this season before their Friday evening clash away to Cape Town City and has been one of the key players in the Rockets being the second joint team that has conceded the least number of goals behind table-toppers Mamelodi Sundowns, before this weekend's matches.
The 27-year old was praised by his coach Sead Ramovic following a stunning win over Sundowns early in the season, inspiring the Mpumalanga side to shut out the Brazilians in midfield in a 'catenaccio' defensive system praised by opposition coach Rulani Mokwena.
"I said it when I came here in October [last year], we have a lot of quality players," said Ramovic after their win over Sundowns.
"And I have to give a lot of credit, [Bathusi] Aubaas played well but I have to give a lot of credit to the whole team, from [Ebrahim] Seedat, to [Pogiso] Sanoka, to Given [Msimango], also the players that came in, they gave a great effort, I'm just proud of my guys."
Aubaas has also recently caught the attention of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos after he was called-up as a late replacement for Lyle Foster for international friendly matches against Mozambique and Angola in November last year.
"Foster phoned that he couldn’t be here. So we have to look for a substitute. I will not give so much comment on that but at last it will be Bathusi Aubaas, the player of TS Galaxy, who will join us," Broos said.
However, Aubaas is contracted to the Rockets and the Glamour Boys will have to prepare themselves to pay a substantial transfer fee if they are serious about their target.
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