Chiefs failed to adequately react to Grobler’s strike

Kaizer Chiefs’ MTN8 semifinal game against SuperSport United on Saturday wasn’t as exciting as the first leg. I thought Chiefs managed the game well in the first half, they changed the system up a bit, with Willard Katsande and Wiseman Meyiwa to protect the back four.

I think the 2-2 draw last week with Celtic forced Giovanni Solinas into a few changes. I think it was the right thing to do at the start, but I didn’t see any response from Chiefs once they had conceded.

SuperSport were also cautious … playing off the cuff, waiting for an opportunity. Luckily they had Bradley Grobler playing for them, and he took his one chance.

They made the most of a frail Chiefs back four, who had Teenage Hadebe coming in after last playing four months ago. Chiefs had a very young defence apart from Ramahlwe Mphahlele.

Moving to Mamelodi Sundowns, it was always going to be difficult for Sundowns to replace Tau and Billiat.

We have seen that in their last four or five games – one contributing factor could also be their fixture congestion.

Sundowns didn’t change gear in the final third. That is something Tau or Billiat would have initiated.

They have quality in Sibusiso Vilakazi, Gaston Sirino and Themba Zwane, but Sirino is struggling for goals, Zwane is not a known goalscorer, I think they are looking at Jeremy Brockie for the goals that have dried up with the exodus of players.

With Phakamani Mahlambi, I think there will be a bit of a transition. We saw how Pitso Mosimane worked with Khama Billiat. He wasn’t prolific when he came to Sundowns, I think he (Pitso) will have to work with Mahlambi and Sirino.

Cape Town City continue to impress me as a team and Benni McCarthy continues to make waves. It is no easy feat taking over from Eric Tinkler – you are setting yourself up for failure, but he quickly came in and did well in his maiden season.

He strikes me as a coach players want to play for.

They knew Sundowns would attack them and despite that they had plenty of possession and continued with their philosophy of attacking football. City are a team with a two players for every position. They have also managed to sign quality players.

It is only in the rightback position when they maybe don’t have cover for Thamsanqa Mkhize. Other than that they look solid.

Finally, I’ve got to be honest, I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel for Bafana Bafana.

If you look at the selection, there are only a few players popping up at a high level. The day we see more than seven or eight players returning from abroad, I will feel a bit more optimistic.

I do feel, though, that after beating Nigeria they can qualify for Afcon 2019.