NO WAYS Kaizer Chiefs may have the worst defence statistically in the Betway Premiership, but one former player believes the have the best individual defenders in the land. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Media
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Media
Although Kaizer Chiefs statistically have the worst defence in the league, they actually have the best individual defenders in the Betway Premiership, according to former AmaKhosi player Mokete Tsotetsi.
As a defender for the Soweto Giants between 2007 and 2009, the 42-year-old Tsotetsi has a unique perspective on the matter.
Tsotetsi explained that since the defenders in the team are new, they still need time to settle as a unit and that’s the reason they’ve made their mistakes.
“First of all, for a goalkeeper to be good, he needs a strong defence in front of him so they can complement each other,” Tsotetsi told KickOff.com.
“But now, in this case, the backline is new, especially centrally. That’s the reason their goalkeepers are conceding in every game. The relationship at the back is still new; that’s what leads to most goals they concede. At Kaizer Chiefs, the coach is still cooking. A relationship doesn’t build within a second.”
Chiefs find themselves down in ninth position on the league table, but have conceded the most number of goals as they have let in 12 strikes in just eight games.
It makes for sorry reading for Chiefs fans, especially since they have scored the third most goals in the league. Only second-placed Orlando Pirates (13) and table toppers Mamelodi Sundowns (18) have scored more.
The leaky defence has led to three losses in eight matches. For comparison, Sundowns have conceded four and Pirates have let in three goals.
Since new coach Nasreddine Nabi took over at the beginning of the season, Chiefs have signed Bongani Sam, Rushwin Dortley, Fiacre Ntwari, Inacio Miguel and Bradley Cross.
Individually, Tsotetsi argued, these players are top class.
“It’s not like the defence is not protecting the goalkeepers enough, but a relationship needs to be built first for it to work like a well-oiled machine," he said.
"Inacio Miguel is new in the country; he was not signed by a local team, and he is still settling in the country. But he is a good centre-back," Tsotetsi said.
“So they should be allowed to make mistakes, that’s how they will learn. Give them a chance to rectify their mistakes and not change them in every match. The only thing missing right now is for them to gel. To me, Kaizer Chiefs, they have the best defenders in the league. Let’s be honest. They just need to gel.”