HERMAN GIBBS
Ironically, Kaizer Chiefs focussed on buying players to beef up their anaemic defence during the pre-season, but now it is proving a headache for new coach Nasreddine Nabi.
When Nabi was appointed in the pre-season at Chiefs, he would have spotted the club's desperate defensive situation, which was reflected by the 30 goals conceded in 30 league matches last season. Several players were recruited to build a new rearguard.
All seemed well after the three opening Premiership matches because Chiefs won twice and then lost 2-1 to Sundowns in a match they contested well. Midway through October, Chiefs hammered SuperSport United 4-0. Two weeks later, Sundowns returned the favour, hammering Chiefs 4-0, but there was not much of an outcry from their Khosi Nation because the result was not unexpected.
Fast forward to this past Saturday, Chiefs produced one of the worst defensive displays this season. After a dominant Chiefs side ran up a deserving 2-0 lead against Royal AM, they conceded two goals and were forced to share the spoils.
After the match, Nabi aptly remarked that Chiefs should have won with five or six goals. The Cape Town Spurs recruit, 22-year-old Rushwin Dortley, who has been outstanding since he arrived at Naturena, produced an uncharacteristic poor performance along with fellow centre-back Given Msimango.
As the match approached the hour mark, Chiefs' defence went awry, and Royal AM's Ayabulela Maxwele ran through Chiefs' central defence. He unleashed a half-volley that went beyond the reach of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, who was well off his line.
Just when it seemed Chiefs would hold out for a 2-1 win, substitute midfielder Levy Mashiane ran past three Chiefs players before pushing the ball past the hapless Petersen one minute ahead of the end of regulation time.
Understandably, Nabi was hopping mad afterwards and said his players were unprofessional to allow the match to slip from their grasp after enjoying great dominance. Nabi will have a week to prepare for the next Premiership clash against the tricky Polokwane City side, whose form has taken a dip of late, and they are winless after three matches.
Players like Sibongiseni 'Ox' Mthethwa, Yusuf Maart, and Ashley du Preez will be amongst the first names on the team sheet.
He has positives to take from the Royal AM debacle, and one will be the terrific form of midfielder Mthethwa, who is enjoying opportunities to play. Nabi explains that Mthethwa has gained a grasp of how he should play for Chiefs, and that has helped him.
Nabi is also overjoyed with Yusuf Maart’s recent resurgence, which he feels stems from growing confidence. He has brought a measure of stability to the midfield.
Chiefs are now in seventh place on the Premiership log, and ideally, the Tunisian tactician Nabi would like to see his team in the upper reaches of the log. If the team had won on Saturday, they would have made it into third position behind Sundowns and Pirates.
If this had happened, it would have given some substance to their 'Big Three' standing.