Ex-Kaizer Chiefs Star Explains Why South Africa Was His Most Lucrative Career Move
- Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu opened up about the financial terms that brought him to Amakhosi from Zambia
- The Kenyan star disclosed that his time at Naturena was the highest-earning period of his entire football career
- Akumu revealed that a rival club attempted to keep him with a counter-offer, but could not match what Chiefs put on the table
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Source: UGC
SOUTH AFRICA — Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu has shed light on the contract that took him to Naturena, describing his time with Amakhosi as the most financially rewarding chapter of his career.
Akumu, who represented the Soweto giants between January 2020 and June 2022, made the disclosure in an interview with Mozzart Sports, detailing the salary structure that persuaded him to leave Zambia for South African football.
Akumu's salary structure at Chiefs
The Kenyan international said Chiefs opened negotiations with a monthly offer of Ksh1.5 million, equivalent to approximately R192,000, a figure that immediately set the deal apart from anything else on the table at the time.
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"Playing in South Africa still remains my most lucrative offer because they started with a monthly salary of Ksh1.5 million (approximately R192,000)," Akumu said, according to Mozzart Sports as quoted by KickOff.
His former Zambian club, Zesco United, tried to retain him once they learned of his intention to move, offering Ksh500,000 per month as a counteroffer. Akumu made clear that figure was never going to be sufficient.
"When Zesco got wind of my intention to move, they offered me Ksh500,000 per month, but they still could not match what the South African club were offering, and so I had to leave," he said.
Annual earnings paid in two instalments
Beyond the monthly figures, Akumu revealed that his annual package at Chiefs amounted to Ksh8 million, roughly R1 million, structured as two lump-sum payments each year.
"Every year, I received Ksh8 million (approximately R1 million), half of which was paid in February and the other half in September," he said.
Akumu said the agreement covered two full payment cycles during his time at Kaizer Chiefs. However, things changed when he entered the third year of his contract, with the midfielder and the club reaching a mutual decision to end their working relationship before the deal expired. As a result, the third and final annual payment was never made.
His stay at Naturena ultimately lasted two and a half years, with the former Chiefs player leaving the club in June 2022. Although his departure came before the original contract reached its full duration, Akumu said both parties agreed to the decision.
Source: Twitter
Steven Mendes catches MLS attention after COSAFA U20 Golden Boot
Briefly News previously reported that Kaizer Chiefs teenager Steven Mendes had attracted attention after a standout showing at the COSAFA U20 Championship in Maputo, Mozambique.
The 18-year-old midfielder claimed the Golden Boot after being deployed in a more advanced role. Mendes’ form has also sparked interest beyond South Africa, with MLS club Chicago Fire reportedly monitoring the youngster.
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Source: Briefly News
