Set-piece woes for Zwane’s men

For anyone watching Chiefs this season, their defending from set-plays – both corners and freekicks – has left a

lot to be desired. In most matches, they have gifted the opposition clear chances

Zwane tends to favour having four or five of his strong aerial players lined up across the small box to defend zonally. This usually includes both central defenders, Reeve Frosler and 1.94-metre tall striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana to protect that area. Guys like Maart and Hlanti tend to man-mark, whilst you have Blom often stationed as the “front screen” on the near post to clear low deliveries. However, the proof of this set-up’s lack of success is clear from all the goals and clear chances that opposition teams are enjoying from dead ball scenarios against Chiefs. Against TS Galaxy, Bernard Parker scored from close range after a near post flick-on from a corner reached him for a bundled finish past Bruce Bvuma. One game earlier, a ‘lateral’ (wide) freekick from Chippa United led to an Edmilson Dove own goal in the 89th minute to cost Amakhosi a point in a home defeat which sparked frustration and anger from the supporters. Who can forget Ricardo Nascimento netting for Royal AM from a corner after 59 seconds in the opening match of the season? Nathan Fasika also rose highest to head home a wide freekick for Cape Town City in a 2-0 defeat in August. So, these issues have been a seasonlong worry with no clear answer in sight. Short-term, Zwane may be wise to try to pack his side with more height by using one of Zitha Macheke and Siyabonga Ngezana as a right back in