Top new central defender needed Ngcobo: Already Chiefs’ best player?

Hunt not convinced by left back… Hlanti a necessary stopgap?

One area of the squad where there is plenty of youth is at left back. Yagan Sasman and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya are just 24 years old, whilst Philani Zulu is still just 28, while Happy Mashiane got his breakthrough under Ernst Middendorp as a left back and is just 23. However, it has been abundantly clear this season that Hunt does not rate either Sasman or Ntiya-Ntiya. The latter has played the grand total of 101 minutes all season and his only start saw him red-carded in the shock home Nedbank Cup defeat to Richards Bay FC. Sasman, meanwhile, has made just five appearances all season. He has not played a single league minute since getting 90 in the 3-0 home loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on the opening day of the season. Hunt has not looked at Mashiane as a fullback due to his lack of height and question marks over his defending. Philani Zulu has played a lot but is in and out of the side and probably better suited to being a wingback than a fullback in a back four. All of this is likely why Hunt is going to rekindle his interest in Sifiso Hlanti. He will be 32 soon but may be considered a necessary signing due to left back being such a problem position for Chiefs.

Looking at the depth chart for players 30 and under, it is clear that Amakhosi need to put some serious focus on the centre-back area. The hope that Mphahlele would become the new defensive lynchpin has faded after average performances and continued injury issues. Erick Mathoho and Daniel Cardoso may still have a rotation role to play, but Gavin Hunt needs to find a more dynamic pairing. With more pace at the back, the space behind Reeve Frosler will be covered better when he gets forward from right back. Siyabonga Ngezana has been used mostly at right back this season and is still error-prone when used centrally – see the penalty he conceded against Celtic on Sunday – but he has the rare mix of great physical strength and genuine pace across the ground. He is still 23 and is now ready to be given a prolonged chance in his best position.

ACTION: Sign one top defender to partner Ngezana. Look to phase out Cardoso, Mphahlele and Mathoho. Get an answer on whether Anthony Agay has a long-term future as a central defender at a club like Chiefs. Amakhosi have been strongly linked with Njabulo Ngcobo, whilst Luke Fleurs has also been mooted as an option.

Hunt has spoken of not overhyping Ngcobo, but the fact is that he is arguably Chiefs’ player of the season and their key creative player now. With Khama Billiat struggling to keep fit and contribute goals or assists regularly when on the field, and Lebogang Manyama’s dip in performance levels this season, Ngcobo has stepped up. Without doubt, the team needs to be built around him next season and he can’t find himself forced into a wide role that doesn’t suit him. To ensure that, Hunt needs genuine wingers in his side on a weekly basis. Mashiane has shown real flashes of quality when playing further forward this season and is now ready to play a lot more games as a starter. With Kgaogelo Sekgota very strongly linked as an option on the left or the right, Chiefs should be able to use Ngcobo as the number 10 more often. He is not only part of the Soweto giants’ next generation but arguably their key player if the side is to finish in the Top Eight and to progress further in the CAF Champions League.

ACTION:

Chiefs need to make Ngcobo the fulcrum of the side and to play Mashiane more often. If Billiat and Manyama hang around – and both are currently 30 and only turning 31 at the start of next season – then they have to contribute more but not prove a barrier to the development of Ngcobo and Mashiane. Lesako will also be hoping for more matches. The attack should look stronger once Nurkovic starts scoring again, whilst Billiat can play up front more if wingers arrive in the transfer window. Ruzaigh Gamildien is also set to be signed and he will give a versatile option to plug gaps and Castro may also hang around. Right now, the supply line for the front players looks like a bigger issue than the strikers themselves.