The search for the ultimate “Number 9” has been a central theme at Naturena for the past two decades. Since 2006, Kaizer Chiefs fans have witnessed a transition from the era of prolific goal machines to tactical, versatile forwards.
While the club has faced challenges in finding a consistent 20-goal-a-season striker in recent years, the past twenty years have nonetheless featured icons who defined the “Glamour Boys” DNA.
Here are the top 10 Kaizer Chiefs strikers of the last 20 years (2006–2026), ranked by their impact, silverware, and statistical prowess.
1. Bernard Parker
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While often deployed as a second striker or attacking midfielder later in his career, Parker remains the statistical king of the modern era. With 61 goals in 364 appearances, “Die Hond” was the engine of the Stuart Baxter era that delivered two league titles. His intelligence, work rate, and ability to score in Soweto Derbies make him the most influential forward at the club since the mid-2000s. He remains the club’s all-time top scorer in the PSL era.
2. Knowledge Musona
The “Smiling Assassin” is perhaps the most naturally gifted finisher to grace Naturena in the last 20 years. Across two stints, Musona racked up 40 goals in just 88 appearances. His 2010/11 season, where he finished as the PSL Top Goalscorer, remains a benchmark for predatory striking. Musona didn’t just score goals; he scored high-quality, clinical goals that made him a favorite for a move to Europe.
3. Collins Mbesuma
Although his mythical 35-goal season occurred just as the 20-year window began (2004/05), his influence echoed through the subsequent years as the standard-bearer for Chiefs strikers. “Ntofontofo” was a physical marvel who redefined what a powerhouse striker looked like in South Africa. He remains the only player in the modern era to set a goal-scoring record that seems truly unbreakable.
4. Samir Nurković
The Serbian striker was a breath of fresh air when he arrived in 2019. In his debut season, “Kokota Piano” scored 13 league goals, nearly carrying the club to a league title under Ernst Middendorp. His aerial dominance and aggressive style of play endeared him to the Amakhosi faithful, making him one of the few foreign strikers in the last decade to achieve genuine “cult hero” status.
5. Lehlohonolo Majoro
“Major” was a vital component of the 2012/13 double-winning season. Known for his movement and “right place, right time” instinct, Majoro scored 20 goals in 71 appearances for the club. His partnership with Bernard Parker was one of the most fruitful in the club’s modern history, combining tactical awareness with clinical finishing in the box.
6. Kaizer Motaung Junior
The son of the club’s founder proved he was more than just a famous name. During the 2006/07 season, he was the club’s top scorer and a constant threat. With 30 goals in 110 appearances, he provided a reliable outlet during a transitional period for the club, proving his worth as a dedicated professional who understood the weight of the jersey.
7. Leonardo Castro
Part of the famous “CBD” trio at Mamelodi Sundowns, Castro brought his winning mentality to Chiefs in 2018. Over 123 appearances, he netted 29 goals. While he wasn’t always the most prolific, his ability to hold up the ball and link play was vital for the likes of Khama Billiat and Nurković to thrive in the attacking third.
8. Katlego “Killer” Mphela
Mphela arrived at Chiefs in 2014 with a reputation as the country’s most clinical international finisher. While injuries hampered his total goal tally at Naturena, his presence alone changed how defenses approached the Chiefs backline. He brought a level of international pedigree that helped steady the team during high-pressure cup runs.
9. Shaun Bartlett
Bartlett joined Chiefs toward the end of his illustrious career (2006–2008). While he was in his twilight years, his leadership and headed goals were a masterclass in center-forward play. In just 44 games, he managed 12 goals, proving that class is permanent even when the legs slow down.
10. Flavio Silva
The most recent addition to the Amakhosi attack, the Guinea-Bissau international has quickly made his mark in the 2025/26 season. With 8 goals in his first few months and a refreshingly humble approach to his craft, Silva has brought a sense of clinical professionalism back to the Naturena penalty box. His recent form suggests he is the first striker in years to truly understand the “service-to-goal” ratio required at the club.
The Verdict
The last 20 years have seen a shift from the “power strikers” like Mbesuma to the “versatile workers” like Parker. However, the common thread among these ten men is their ability to handle the immense pressure of the Kaizer Chiefs badge—a task that has proven too difficult for many others who have passed through the gates of Naturena.
