Bad day at the office for Kaizer Chiefs, now there’s a new crisis

Kaizer Chiefs were thrashed by Young Africans on Sunday, but that is not even their biggest problem at the moment.

Hope lasts forever until it doesn’t

There has been a lot of fanfare and optimism surrounding Kaizer Chiefs Football Club in recent weeks. They have a brand new manager, a revamped technical team, three new signings and potentially more to come. However, a day is a long time in football and moods can change quickly. That is the nature of the beast. We should not put too much stock in a friendly defeat, but 4-0 is not a scoreline any Amakhosi supporter wants to stomach.

Left back crisis

Kaizer Chiefs have always wanted to tackle the left-back position in this winter transfer window, as Sifiso Hlanti no longer has the athleticism required for the role. The 33-year-old was released, but Chiefs have now been hit hard by multiple injuries at the position. New Orlando Pirates signing Bongani Sam and versatile Mozambican Edmilson Dove both have foot injuries and will miss the start of the season. Meanwhile, fan favourite Happy Mashiane was absent from training in Bloemfontein during the club’s preparations for the inaugural Toyota Cup. That leaves Nabi with a few puzzles to solve. There have even been suggestions that teenage winger Nkosana Mbuthu could play there at the start of the season. He started at left-back against Yanga.

Tactical reshuffle?

With Sam and Dove out for the start of the campaign and Mbuthu unlikely to be used in competitive matches, Nabi could be tempted to play a narrow backline with a centre-back at left-back. Thatayaone Ditlhokwe has the technical ability and is mobile enough to play there. Much will depend on how quickly Rushwin Dortley is settling into his new surroundings. If the 22-year-old starts off comfortably, he could make the left-centre defensive role his own. It’s not an ideal problem for the new boss to have on his plate so early in his tenure.

Chiefs begin their brand new Betway Premiership campaign with an away match against Marumo Gallants on Saturday 14 September.

WHO SHOULD START THE SEASON AT LEFT BACK FOR CHIEFS?

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