The coach explains the problem

After Stuart Baxter took over at Kaizer Chiefs, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo may have feared for his future. After all, the 68-yearold coach is renowned for favouring experienced, older players and Amakhosi’s recruitment saw Keagan Dolly, Kgaogelo Sekgota and even Phathutshedzo Nange signed in positions that “Mshini” had featured in for the side in the past.

Speaking in September last year, the coach said the attacking midfielder had suffered a dip in his training performances, “All I can say is that ‘Mshini’ has been doing really well the last two weeks. He went through a little period of being a bit flat. And then even if you are a talented lad, that doesn’t get you a place in the team. Now he’s really starting to fire and putting pressure on the players who are ahead of him. He doesn’t get more game-time when more players arrive at the club. Happy (Mashiane) is the same. These are two talented players that I want to get into the mix, but more players come in and more doors close.”

The perception from the Chiefs fans is that Arthur Zwane would be picking Ngcobo every week but that Baxter himself doesn’t trust the player. When the 22-year-old star was handed a rare start in December 2021 against Sekhukhune United after three games of being an unused substitute, he netted a goal and provided an assist. With Baxter absent due to COVID-19, Zwane backed up the sentiments from the head coach around the player though, adding, “You could see him dropping a little bit in terms of having fatigue here and there. We had to manage him and we

can see now that he is coming back. He is alive again and we are happy to see him like this – showcasing his talent and performing like he did.”

That drop-off explains the lack of early-season minutes having arguably been Chiefs’ best player during the 2020/21 campaign. He started 34 matches (with six sub outings) the season before, netting four goals and providing a couple of assists. His displays were rewarded by playing some part in all three of South Africa’s matches at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.