Everyone talks about Kaizer Chiefs’ failure to sign a prolific striker but there’s a much more concerning problem to solve.
Kaizer Chiefs’ biggest issue
Much is said about Amakhosi’s inability to finish off the chances they create and that fuels rumours of various strikers seemingly on the brink of joining the club. It’s true, Chiefs’ attack is dismally underperforming. They only scored 25 goals in the entire 2023-2024 campaign. So far this term, there’s been a slight uptick with 12 goals from the opening nine outings. The biggest issue, however, lies at the back. Chiefs haven’t kept a single clean sheet this season in the Betway Premiership. Chiefs remain in the hunt or a striker but they’ve got to tidy things up at the back first.
An early over-reliance on Dortley is problematic
Rushwin Dortley is relatively young for his position as a 22-year-old central defender. The former Cape Town Spurs man has settled right into his pressurised surroundings, becoming one of the first names on the team sheet for Chiefs and now Bafana Bafana. Calm and cultured on the ball and impressively aggressive in the air, Dortley has what it takes to become one of the best defenders in the country. The problem with their reliance on Dortley is that he’s yet to have a slump in form, and that’s an inevitability for a player of his relative lack of experience. When it happens, who do they turn to? He’s appeared in all nine Betway Prem clashes this term.
Miguel’s temperament is up for debate
28-year-old central defender Inacio Miguel is Dortley’s preferred partner and is at the heart of the defence. However, he’s already picked up two separate suspensions for an accumulation of bookings and then a straight dismissal.
Upcoming fixtures
The Glamour Boys must wait until Sunday December 29th for their next assignment. They face Chippa at their new temporary home, Moses Mabhida Stadium.
- Amakhosi vs Chippa: Sun 29 December, 17:45
- Cape Town City vs Amakhosi : Sun 05 January, 17:30
- Amakhosi vs Stellenbosch: Wed 08 January, 19:30
- Amakhosi vs Golden Arrows: Sun 12 Jan, 15:30
Are Chiefs recruiting the right defenders?
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