Lilepo-to-Al Ittihad Move Stalls as Kaizer Chiefs Hold Firm on R20 Million Valuation

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Reports circulating on social media suggest that Congolese winger-forward Glody Lilepo's proposed move from Kaizer Chiefs to Al Ittihad, the club coached by Rulani Mokwena, has hit a stumbling block during the initial stages of negotiations.

According to Motsokwana012 on X blog, also known as Twitter, Kaizer Chiefs FC management, led by club manager Bobby Motaung, is unwilling to approve the transfer unless the buying club meets a valuation of at least R20 million. The blogger further alleges that the player's future now depends on whether Al Ittihad is prepared to improve its offer. Should the deal collapse, Lilepo is expected to remain at Kaizer Chiefs for the coming season. No official confirmation from either club has been made public at the time of writing.

Is Lilepo Worth R20 Million?

This is where the debate becomes interesting.

Since arriving at Kaizer Chiefs in January 2025, Lilepo has arguably been one of the club's most influential attacking players. He quickly established himself as a regular starter and became one of the team's most productive attackers. Various statistical sources show that he has contributed between 5 and 7 league goals, while also adding assists and creating attacking opportunities for teammates. He has consistently ranked among Kaizer Chiefs' top scorers and assist providers (Footystats, 2026).

The Case For R20 Million

There are several reasons why Kaizer Chiefs FC management may feel justified in demanding R20 million:

1. Scarcity of quality attackers
• Proven attacking players are difficult to find in the PSL market.
• Chiefs have struggled for goals in recent seasons, making productive forwards particularly valuable.
2. Immediate impact
• G. Lilepo adapted quickly after arriving from Europe and immediately improved the Chiefs' attacking threat.
• He contributed goals, assists, pace, and directness in the final third.
3. Market conditions
• Modern transfer fees are increasingly driven by replacement cost rather than pure statistics.
• The Chiefs would likely spend a significant amount recruiting a player capable of replacing Lilepo's output.
4. Age and experience
• At 28, he is in what is generally considered the peak period of a professional footballer's career.

The Case Against R20 Million

However, there is a strong argument that R20 million may be an ambitious valuation.

1. The numbers are good, not extraordinary.
• While Lilepo has been productive, he is not posting the kind of numbers normally associated with elite attackers commanding premium transfer fees.
• A return of roughly 5–7 goals and several assists is valuable but not dominant.
2. Limited sample size
• Much of his success has come over a relatively short period since joining the Chiefs.
• Clubs often prefer to see sustained performance over multiple seasons before paying top dollar.
3. Age factor
• Although 28 is a player's prime, it also means there is limited resale value compared to a 21- or 22-year-old prospect.
4. Market value comparisons
• Publicly available market-value estimates place him significantly below the R20 million mark, although market values and transfer fees are not the same thing.

Verdict

From a football perspective, Lilepo has been one of Kaizer Chiefs' most effective attacking players since his arrival. His goals, assists, work rate, and ability to carry the attack have made him an important asset in a team that has often lacked consistent offensive production.

However, whether he is worth R20 million depends on how the fee is viewed. Based purely on statistics, the figure appears slightly inflated. Based on his importance to the Kaizer Chiefs, the difficulty of replacing him, and the leverage the team hold in negotiations, the valuation becomes more understandable.

A fair assessment would place his transfer value somewhere between R12 million and R18 million, with the full R20 million becoming justifiable only if multiple clubs are competing for his signature. As things stand, the Kaizer Chiefs FC appear to be pricing not only the player but also the cost of losing one of their few reliable attacking weapons. 

Do you think it is justifiable for the Kaizer Chiefs FC management to demand the cost of R20 million for the player of G. Lilepo's calibre?