Defenders

Ramahlwe Mphahlele

The Bafana fullback has been undisputed number one in his position this campaign when fit, and with three goals and three assists in all competitions, he looks to have done well on the face of it. However, a deeper look at his performances has seen real defensive issues both in terms of being easily beaten in dribbles, and with his poor positional sense. Numerous goals have seen him at fault, with sloppy passes, diving in, or losing his man. One such example was in the first round Soweto Derby for Thembinkosi Lorch’s goal. Having now returned after knee surgery and with his contract running down, Chiefs are expected to use him regularly for the rest of the season, but Reeve Frosler’s addition may make any contract talks less of a priority. One positive aspect is that Middendorp is using a 3-5-2 formation, which should free Rama up to attack with more cover behind him. 5/10

Kgotso Moleko

He barely had a kick this season under Solinas, stepping in for Mphahlele in just one game, a 2-0 win away to Free State Stars. He was left out of the CAF Confederation Cup squad, but under Middendorp, he has been regularly involved. The German coach spoke about him after the win against SuperSport United, saying, “I have liked him from the first day I saw him. I have not seen him a lot before, but he is a player with a huge potential.” Since then, he has featured as a right wingback and surprisingly on the right of a back three and been a very dependable performer, who may be offered a new contract, with his current deal expiring in June. 7/10

Daniel Cardoso

Last season, Cardoso had a strong campaign in the middle of a back three, in a fairly defensive set- up under Steve Komphela. He started this season poorly, giving away a penalty against Mamelodi Sundowns and missing his header as Bloemfontein Celtic came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Chiefs. He was dropped from the team towards the end of Solinas’ reign and missed a couple of games with illness. Since Middendorp has come in, he has excelled at the back, helping to keep clean sheets against SuperSport and Bidvest Wits, and doing well both on the right and in the middle of a back three. 6.5/10

Siyabonga Ngezana

The young defender excelled on the right of a back three last season but had a tough fight at the start of this campaign to get into the team. Once he was given a chance, he showed he is more than capable in a back four too with his aggressive style, excelling against Maritzburg United in particular. However, after conceding a penalty and making errors in the two Soweto derbies, he was dropped by Solinas. Under Middendorp, he has barely had a chance and the new coach does not appear to rate him highly. Ngezana recently found himself playing in the Multichoice Diski Challenge and, unless there are injuries in defence, he may not get another start this season. 5/10

Teenage Hadebe

Last season, he came in after injury and really impressed on the left of a back three (eight clean sheets in 13 games). This campaign, he had a tougher fight for minutes under Solinas with just two centre-back roles to compete for. He got a rare start against SuperSport in the MTN8 semi-final but dived in and was beaten easily by Bradley Grobler for the goal. He also conceded a penalty against Golden Arrows and another one in the 3-1 defeat away to Zesco United. Since Middendorp came in, Hadebe has been a regular selection on the left of a back three or even as a left back in a four and has given the backline greater balance and aggression, but it’s expected there’s much more to come from him. 6/10

Mario Booysen

The experienced centre-back came in from relegated Ajax Cape Town to add a sixth central defender to the club’s books. This looked an unnecessary signing at the time, with doubts over his quality at a side like Chiefs too. After initially doing fairly well in his early outings, Booysen had a very tough time after that, making bad mistakes in both Soweto Derby matches. He was dropped by Solinas and looked out of his depth, particularly when being used as a left centre-back and being asked to cover the left channel or build play with his left foot. Since his former coach Middendorp came in and played more organised football defensively, Booysen has suddenly looked dependable, playing in the middle of a back three where he is protected. 5.5/10

Erick Mathoho

The stalwart has had another tough campaign, mostly finding himself out injured with groin and ankle problems and struggling in Solinas’ style of play. He started the 3-1 loss to Wits as Chiefs were constantly caught on the break, and then gave away a penalty in the defeat at Arrows as he struggled with their pacey attackers. 4/10

Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya

The Chiefs academy prospect from the Eastern Cape was given his debut last season by Komphela, starting two league games. This season, after Masilela and Sibusiso Khumalo left the club, he was the default first choice. He was in the starting XI for the first seven games, doing a decent job although still looking inexperienced positionally. The arrival of Walusimbi saw him fall out of the picture, but Middendorp’s arrival has changed his fortunes. He has played at both fullback and wingback on both sides, surprisingly covering for injuries on the right flank. The coach is a huge fan, saying, “Ntiya-Ntiya is just a marvel to watch. He has an excellent grasp of what we expect of him. He is a fantastic player.” Both coach and player deserve credit for his strong displays in the last two months. 7.5/10

Lorenzo Gordinho

After his excellent loan spell at Celtic came to an end, he would have hoped to get regular minutes at Chiefs. However, as he was not registered for the Confederation Cup, and later broke his hand in the MDC, he has only had 15 minutes on the pitch in a midfield role against Wits. It’s not clear if the coach rates him highly, and he could endure a frustrating few months ahead. No rating

Happy Mashiane

The young left back was promoted to the first team after impressing in training and has immediately been given two starts as a left wingback by the coach. His maturity and decision-making have been impressive in those outings against Tornado FC and Cape Town City, and he was solid in the Soweto Derby His development is such that Walusimbi is not expected to be missed. 6/10