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It’s hard to say if the Glamor Boys have more trouble up front or back, after a stuttering start to the new season.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt might feel like he’s going around in circles right now.
After a decent start with a 2-1 MTN8 win over Maritzburg United, it quickly turned to a frustrating start to his tenure as Amakhosi’s head coach.
The latest setback, following 3-0 losses to Mamelodi Sundowns (league) and Orlando Pirates (MTN8 semifinal first leg) came Wednesday night when the Chiefs made an erratic display in a 0-0 draw. against Premier Soccer League rookies TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium.
Unstable defense
Well, the Chiefs didn’t concede a goal. However, they can consider themselves a bit lucky. First, Galaxy softened a penalty when Wayde Lekay hit the bar. The penalty was won after Daniel Cardoso missed a tackle on Lindokuhle Mbatha, who was later taken out in the area by Kgotso Moleko.
Cardoso also missed at least one other tackle, while left-back Philani Zulu, unconvincing against the Pirates last weekend, was lucky not to be punished for a sloppy play that led to an opportunity for Tshegofatso Nyama.
Then near the end of the match, Mokete Mogaila tore through Amakhosi’s defense and into goal, only to be turned away by a combination of goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and Eric Mathoho.
On the bright side, Akpeyi had a solid game as did Mathoho, who made a welcome return from injury.
However, Hunt is clearly struggling to find his best defense and has already used a ton of players at the rear this season, including Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Siyabonga Ngezana, Yagan Sasman, Happy Mashiane, Reeve Frosler and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. Added to the five that started Wednesday, there are 11 players in total, including the two goalkeepers.
Weak attack
Hunt spoke after the game about how much the team lacks last season’s top scorer, Samir Nurkovic, who will be out for another two to three months due to injury.
If only Hunt could turn back time with Khama Billiat. And Leonardo Castro for that matter: The two enjoyed a pretty good scoring record together while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns.
The same could be said for Lebogang Manyama, who was once the league’s top scorer during his time in Cape Town, and Bernard Parker, who has never been prolific but is on an especially dry streak that stretches back more than one. season.
Manyama’s poor form should be particularly concerning and he has been substituted in three games this season.
Hunt and his team could probably use a sloppy goal, or a defender scoring on a set piece, a Mathoho header, for example. A little luck would help right now too.
With so many cuts and changes to the starting eleven, these are unsettling times for Amakhosi fans, who are hoping that somehow things will turn around in time for Sunday’s derby against the Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final second leg at the FNB Stadium.
