Ex-Chiefs Striker Scores On Debut In Asia
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Efmamjjasond Gonzalez has hit the ground running at his new club Shijiazhuang Gongfu FC, scoring the opening goal on his debut in the 1-1 draw against Dingnan United in the Chinese League One.
The 26-year-old forward joined the Chinese side on a surprising short-term loan deal last week from Bolivian Primera Division outfit, Club Always Ready, with a reported loan fee worth in the region of €50 000 (R1 million).
In South America, Gonzalez was enjoying a stellar season and in contention for the Golden Boot with 11 goals scored and one assist provided in 13 matches after struggling to find the back of the net in his first four matches for the Bolivian team.
The Chiefs flop returned to South America on the back of a difficult spell in the Betway Premiership, where he failed to make the most of his season-long loan from Real Santa Cruz in the 2023/24 campaign, as he failed to score in 13 matches across all competitions.
After a horrid time in the South African top-flight, the towering striker chipped in with six goals in 19 games upon his reunion with Santa Cruz in June 2024. However, his goals were not enough to save the team as it got relegated, prompting a move to Always Ready on a one-year deal in January 2025.
However, before sanctioning the loan move to the Chinese second division, Always Ready triggered the one-year extension that will now see Gonzalez remain with the club until December 2026 after his loan spell in Asia.
Gonzalez will be keen to continue his red-hot goal-scoring form when his new team swings back to action with a visit from Nantong Zhiyun FC in matchday 17 of the Chinese League One on Saturday, 19 July.
SJZ Gongfu has never played in the Chinese top-flight division and will be banking on the rejuvenated centre-forward to achieve their promotion aspirations, with the club currently in fifth place with 25 points accumulated, 12 behind the log leaders with 14 matches remaining.
