Bvuma, Msimango and Chivaviro must step up for Chiefs
There are two certainties in life: death and taxes. So, as Kaizer Chiefs usher in a new era, no player is guaranteed a playing spot this season.
Coach Nasreddine Nabi is expected to do his best to try to give all the members of his squad a fair chance to impress him. With that said, MIHLALI BALEKA looks at three players who must step up from the onset if they are to cement their spots.
BRUCE BVUMA – GOALKEEPER
Chiefs have always prided themselves on producing the best goalkeepers in the land, dating back to Eshele Botende, followed by Brian Baloyi, Rowen Fernandez and Itumeleng Khune.
Having graduated from the club’s youth ranks, Bvuma also wants to follow in the footsteps of these greats. That won’t come easily, though.
Bvuma needs to improve and be consistent in keeping clean sheets, especially after he had a lukewarm outing last campaign.
New goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi will also come in handy in that regard because he’ll give him a clean slate, and fresh ideas on how to improve.
The arrival of Fiacre Ntwari should not deter Bvuma, in his hopes of claiming the No 1 spot, instead it should encourage him to grow. After all, he has the qualities to command a starting berth because he’s good aerially and on the ground, compared to teammate Brandon Petersen.
GIVEN MSIMANGO – DEFENDER
Msimango has been tipped to become one of the best players in the land. But he didn’t quite live up to the lofty billing at Chiefs last season.
The 27-year-old was in and out of the team due to poor form, and changes in coaching personnel.
Even when he got his mojo back, Chiefs’ structure – from defenders to attackers – was upside down, and there was nothing he could do to stop the team leaking goals.
However, his work didn’t go unnoticed as he got a call-up from Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for the World Cup qualifier at home to Zimbabwe in June.
And having recently made the provisional squad for the Afcon qualifiers next month, it shows that Broos has faith in Msimango’s qualities. Hence, he needs to be at his best for Chiefs, always.
RANGA CHIVAVIRO – STRIKER
Chivaviro had a poor first season at Chiefs, having only scored four goals and registered one assist in 23 games across all competitions last campaign.
In hindsight, he was bound to struggle given the fact that he arrived from Marumo Gallants with an injury, resulting in him missing out on pre-season with the team.
But now fully fit, the Limpopo-born player cannot afford to slacken. He needs to hit the ground running this season and fire from all angles.
Nabi is probably happy to reunite with Chivaviro as the pair know each other well, having crossed paths in the CAF Confederation Cup two seasons ago.
Nabi’s former team, Young Africans, eliminated Gallants in the semi-final of the competition, while Chivaviro finished as top goalscorer, alongside Fiston Mayele, with five goals.