5 Concerns In Absence Of Nabi At Chiefs

Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Since Kaizer Chiefs announced that head coach Nasreddine Nabi was separated from the team mid-septmber, Soccer Laduma highlights five issues that has crept up in his absence.

Youngsters sidelined?

There were promises of youngsters getting a chance with Nabi in charge. Naledi Hlongwane started the first game of the season, in a 2-0 win over Stellenbosch but has not featured since.

Aden McCarthy also started the first four league matches but has made only one start in the last five league games and came on just before the penalty shoot-out against Stellies in the Carling Knockout.

Wandile Duba has also been dropped in recent games after starting the first four games.

Too defensive?

In a 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants, Chiefs had seven defensive players in the starting line-up, Zitha Kwinika, Inacio Miguel, Bradley Cross, Reeve Frosler, Paseka Mako, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Siphesihle Ndlovu.

Mind you, the mighty Amakhosi were playing at home.

Lack of accountability

Signs were there since Nabi was removed from the team, particularly upfront, there is a lack of accountability with attackers taking their chances and maybe because there are no consequences?

The chaotic scenes in the Carling Knockout of Fiacre Ntwari and Mthethwa refusing to be substituted showed lack of accountability from Chiefs players.

There was also an issue of Khanyisa Mayo denying Pule Mmodi a goal by finishing off his strike while clearly in an offside position in a draw against AmaZulu.

Coaches controlled by fans?

Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze appear indecisive when it comes to making substitutions, as they have made a habit of not reacting when Chiefs are in need of fresh legs or ideas but only influence the game from the bench when prompted by whistles and gestures from supporters in the stands.

Can they stand their ground?

Lilepo form dropped?

Makabi Lilepo scored in the first game of the season against Stellenbosch but he is yet to score or assist since then in the league, with only two goals from 11 matches, including in the CAF Confederation Cup against Kuboscorp.

Lilepo also had a penalty saved in regulation time against AmaZulu. Are Youssef and Kaze capable of getting the best out of the Congolese striker, who scored ten goals after arriving only in January last season?

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