Dax makes diamond dazzle

In Soccer Laduma edition 1099, analysis of Dax’s COSAFA Cup appearances and what he would bring to the table as a Chiefs player led to the verdict: More attacking than “Yeye” and not likely to be able to dictate play from deep, but rather suited to pressing high and making bursts from midfield. In a 4-3-3 shape, Dax would be ideal as one of two number eights alongside a pure defensive midfielder. In recent weeks, Dax has been excellent in midfield for Chiefs. In the convincing quarter-final win against Cape Town City, he helped to press City high up the pitch alongside Ekstein and Maluleka, giving Thato Mokeke and Teko Modise no time and space to operate. In this game, he assumed a very demanding role, needing to both press centrally, but also defend against Chippa’s fullbacks, whilst finding the energy to make runs into the box. He had seven shots at goal, hitting the target twice and scoring for the second game in a row. He also set up one chance, won two tackles and made three dribbles. His 53 passes were more than any other player on the pitch as he showed more than just good work off the ball, but also a real ability to find his forwards with early forward passes on transitional play.

Unlike Siphelele Ntshangase, a superb passer but not athletic or defensive-inclined, Dax is exactly Middendorp’s type of player. He can pass the ball forward with accuracy, can carry the ball, has an eye for goal and is a two-way player in that he can press and counter-press with real intensity and aggression. The coach spoke about the Malagasy midfielder after the game, saying, “I probably waited a little bit long to bring Dax in. I should have probably tried to bring him in earlier – player with really high quality. I believe there’s much more to come. It’s not only the shooting from distance, but his oneon-one play and able to penetrate the space and his passing, too.”