ROCK AT THE BACK

Another young star in the making, who has raised his hand at one of the country’s biggest clubs, is Kaizer Chiefs centre-back Lorenzo Gordinho. The only Amakhosi player to feature in all 15 matches before the mid-season break, Gordinho has progressed in leaps and bounds for the Soweto giants to become one of the best defenders in the league – but is not yet ready for the step up to the national team, according to Khan. “Gordinho is a very hard-working and tactically-astute player,” the television analyst says of the 22-year-old. “Where he lacks, however, is in the 1-v-1 situation, in as far as speed is concerned. Should the ball be played up to him, he’s very comfortable, but he finds it a bit difficult in situations where he has to deal with an opponent who has the ability to take him on. Gordinho was part of the national Under-23 team, and was then dropped for whatever reason, but he’s definitely one to look out for, for the future – he’s a definite talent. But for him to now go to the national team will put tremendous pressure on him.” Khan feels another year will better prepare the defender for the skills required to make the grade at senior national team level. “I think another solid season at Kaizer Chiefs will put him in good stead,” he says. “It will also give the selectors the opportunity to monitor him and see if he can make the step up, as there’s a big difference between club and international football. I think he’s brilliant in club football, but is he ready to take the step up now? I would think he needs another season. He’s a young player, has time on his side, so he shouldn’t want to rush things.”