Chiefs' Top five greatest strikers in PSL era

Kaizer Chiefs have had no shortage of quality strikers throughout their history in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Retired strikers like Fani Madida, Marks Maponyane and Abednigo Ngcobo achieved legendary status during their time with the Soweto giants.

This was before the current PSL era which has seen many talented frontmen turn out for Amakhosi and inspire the team to silverware since 1996.

These strikers left their mark on Chiefs' rich history by playing a key role in helping the Naturena-based giants win trophies.

We take a look at Chiefs' top five greatest strikers in the PSL era:

Siyabonga Nomvethe

Trophies: 2

The current Uthongathi FC marksman was arguably the most feared striker in the PSL during his time with Chiefs due to his incredible speed and finishing ability.

The man also known as Bhele joined Amakhosi from African Wanderers in 1998 and he made an immediate impact as he scored in the final as they won the Rothmans Cup (Telkom Knockout Cup).

The 1999/00 season saw Bhele score 22 times across all competitions including three in the 2000 Bob Save Super Bowl (Nedbank Cup) which they won and he was named the PSL Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season.

Bhele then hit the back of the net 18 times across all competitions in his final season (2000/01) with the club and he was snapped up by Italian club Udinese in 2001.

Collins Mbesuma

Trophies: 2

The Zambia international, who is currently on the books of the University of Pretoria, made history in his one season (2004/05) with Chiefs.

Mbesuma was named PSL Player of the Season (remains the only Zambian to win the award) after remarkably scoring 35 goals across all competitions including 25 in the league in a single campaign which is a record.

His impressive goalscoring exploits also inspired the Soweto giants to a league and cup double (PSL title and Coca Cola Cup/Telkom Knockout Cup) under the guidance of coach Ted Dumitru.

Mbesuma attracted interest from European clubs and he was signed by then-English Premier League club Portsmouth at the end of the 2004/05 season.

Knowledge Musona

Trophies: 2

The Zimbabwean hitman is one of the best foreigners to have played in the PSL and he had two successful spells with Chiefs.

Nicknamed the Smiling Assassin, Musona scored in the final to inspire Amakhosi to the 2009 Telkom Knockout Cup triumph and he was named PSL Rookie of the Season after scoring five times in 21 competitive games.

The Smiling Assassin went on to help Chiefs defend the Telkom Knockout Cup and he scored 15 goals to win the 2010/11 PSL Golden Boot award, and he was signed by Germany's TSG Hoffenheim.

Musona spent the 2013/14 season on loan at Chiefs from Hoffenheim and he was among the Soweto giants' top goalscorers with 16 goals across all competitions, and he is now playing for Belgian giants Anderlecht.

Bernard Parker

Trophies: 4

The Bafana Bafana legend has achieved greatness at Chiefs having joined the Soweto giants ahead of the 2011/12 campaign.

Also known as Die Hond, Parker inspired Amakhosi to a league and cup double (Absa Premiership title and Nedbank Cup) after scoring 14 goals across all competitions in his second season (2012/13) with the club.

Die Hond scooped the league's Golden Boot award at the end of the 2013/14 campaign after scoring 10 goals which is the record for the fewest goals needed to win the accolade.

Parker then played an instrumental role in helping Chiefs clinch the Absa Premiership title and MTN8 as the club's top goalscorer in the league with seven goals during the 2014/15 campaign and he remains an important player in the current team.

David Radebe

Trophies: 6

The retired marksman was known for his impressive work-rate and speed during a five-year spell with Chiefs and he was nicknamed 'uMkhumbi ka Nowa' (Noah's Ark in Zulu).

uMkhumbi ka Nowa sealed Amakhosi's 2-0 win over Moroka Swallows in May 2004 and the Soweto giants won their maiden PSL title with the team having also clinched the Coca Cola Cup in the same season (2003/04).

Radebe then formed one of the best strike partnerships in the history of the PSL with Mbesuma, who netted a record-breaking 35 goals in a single season (2004/05) to help Chiefs lift the PSL title and Coca Cola Cup.

The former Bafana Bafana international went on to help Amakhosi win the 2006 Absa Cup (Nedbank Cup) and 2007 SAA Supa Eight Cup (MTN8), before leaving the club having netted 35 goals in 134 competitive games in August 2007.