Stats: How he compares to Katsande
When it comes down to it, perhaps Baxter’s line of thinking with Ngcobo’s positional change is that he wants to find a replacement for Willard Katsande. During the coach’s first reign at the club, the Zimbabwean was an absolutely crucial player in the engine room. Unlike Ngcobo, he almost always played with clear partner next to him in Reneilwe Letsholonyane or George Maluleka. Those players brought the passing range and positional discipline that the rampaging Katsande didn’t possess.
Without the stats from that 2014/15 season available – arguably the peak of Katsande’s powers – we have to compare Ngcobo’s midfield outings this season to those delivered by the man affectionately dubbed “Salt and Vinegar” last term. 33 Passes 76% Passing Accuracy 79% 8 Defensive challenges 8 55% Defensive challenges won % 53% 3,1 Air challenges 2,8 81% Air challenges won, % 81% Tackles 3,6 Tackles won, % 38% Lost balls 4 Fouls 1,59
What immediately sticks out is how similar their stats profiles are. They average the exact same number of passes per 90 minutes on the pitch, with 33. This isn’t a very high number for a top central midfielder as both are focused more on their roles when the opposition have the ball or Chiefs are defending a transition moment or counter-attack. Ngcobo completes more of his passed though and has a better range and technique than Katsande in this regard.
In terms of the raw numbers at breaking up play and winning duels, the two players are again neck-and-neck. The Zimbabwean veteran won fractionally more of his duels and competed in more aerial challenges, but both are excellent with their heading at 81% air challenges won. Their tackling numbers are again very close to each other with only a tiny advantage for Katsande. Where Ngcobo is slightly ahead so far is that he gives the ball away less frequently and commits fewer fouls. He is more composed but less dynamic in what he does.
Overall, we can’t say that there has been a statistical improvement in the holding role this season. What is also important to remember is that Katsande was clearly past his peak last term at the age of 35. He began to lose some of his timing in closing down opponents and his ability to charge around the pitch tackling anything that breathes had tailed off. Ngcobo should be striving to reach Katsande’s levels from 2015, not simply matching his numbers from his final season at the Naturena-based club. They are also different players, with Ngcobo holding a disciplined position as the sole defensive midfielder whilst Katsande tended to close down all over the pitch with a more “strategic” partner in terms of positioning alongside him. The Zimbabwean was also far more aggressive and even committed some violent tackles on occasion. Ngcobo is more measured and cultured in how he makes challenges.