Chiefs’ lack of depth exposed already

Without doubt, it’s been a good transfer window for Kaizer Chiefs. Eight players have come through the door and many older, unsuitable squad members were released. However, even at this early stage of the season, the lack of quality depth and options on the bench is being exposed. With the news prior to kickoff that Ashley Du Preez had failed to overcome a groin injury sustained late against Maritzburg United, it threw off coach Arthur Zwane’s Plan A totally.

Going into this season, the front three trident of Keagan Dolly, Du Preez and Khama Billiat left plenty to be excited about. However, with just one

of those missing, the Soweto giants already felt somewhat

down to the bare bones in attack. The coach decided to recall Njabulo Blom despite calling his outing against Royal AM a “terrible game by his standards”. There was nothing wrong with that selection. but it meant Dillan Solomons moved into a right winger role. He wasn’t even a

regular for Swallows FC as a winger last season (five starts in the first 18 league matches)

and was only signed on the basis of his performances as a right back in the final 12 fixtures.

It is no wonder that strikers like Darren Smith, Wayde Lekay and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana have all been on trial at Naturena because the lack of cover for the firstchoice front three is alarming. Whilst guys like Kgaogelo Sekgota, Happy Mashiane and

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo can play in those front areas, they of Zwane yet (or Stuart Baxter before that). In summary,

once the starting XI was released, Amakhosi didn’t look to have enough firepower in the line-up nor on the bench to hurt a Mamelodi Sundowns team that kept 17 clean sheets in 30 matches last season!