Tashreeq Morris back at Chiefs after Stellenbosch move collapses

In football, the distance between a fresh start and a dead end can be measured in a single phone call. For Kaizer Chiefs striker Tashreeq Morris, the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind of “goodbyes” that ended in an awkward “hello” back at Naturena.

Morris, 31, is staying put at Kaizer Chiefs for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, but not by choice. The Mitchells Plain-born forward had already bid farewell to his Amakhosi teammates in anticipation of a move to Stellenbosch FC—only for the deal to vanish into thin air as the 2025 January PSL transfer window prepared to slam shut on Thursday midnight.

The Hunt-Morris Connection

The move seemed like a perfect fit. Newly appointed Stellenbosch head coach Gavin Hunt was eager for a reunion with Morris, a player he previously mentored during their time at SuperSport United. Hunt was looking for the veteran’s physical presence to bolster the Winelands’ attack.

However, the ruthless nature of the transfer market intervened. Stellenbosch reportedly had room for only one high-profile veteran forward. When Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa—the 2023/24 Golden Boot winner—became available on loan, Stellies pivoted instantly.

Mabasa has already hit the ground running with a debut goal, a development that effectively slammed the door shut on Morris’s return to the Western Cape.

Uphill Battle For Chiefs’ Morris

The collapse leaves Morris in a precarious position. Tied to a contract until June 2027, he now finds himself at the bottom of a very long pecking order under the co-coaching duo of Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.

It has been a season to forget for the striker. His only competitive contribution this term was a haunting one-minute cameo in the Carling Knockout against the very team that just snubbed him. Brought on specifically for the penalty shootout against Stellenbosch, Morris missed his spot-kick, leading to Chiefs’ exit from the competition.

With Khanyisa Mayo, Flavio da Silva, and Etiosa Ighodaro firmly established as the preferred front line—and youngster Wandile Duba also fighting for minutes—Morris faces a daunting task to get back into the matchday squad.

Despite the emotional toll of a failed move, Morris was back in full training at Naturena on Thursday. Whether he can convince the coaching staff to give him a second chance, or if he will remain a spectator until the next window opens, remains the biggest question mark hanging over the Soweto giants this week.