If not Brockie, then who’s next in line?
SUPERSPORT United are still sweating over the availability of striker Jeremy Brockie before this weekend’s Telkom Knockout final against Cape Town City in Polokwane.
Brockie ruptured his ankle after a clash with Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba in the semi-finals in Nelspruit.
There hasn’t really been an over-reliance on Brockie this season, but his four goals and four assists from 14 matches in all competitions highlights his worth.
Having started every game for Matsatsantsa until missing their previous two PSL matches subsequent to the injury, coach Stuart Baxter should already have an alternative. But who is the best candidate? He’s the most likely to get the nod should Brockie not recover in time, but he’s not stepped up when given a chance.
Nkhatha’s advantage is that Baxter has a soft spot for him after they worked together at Kazier Chiefs, where the striker was often booed for his lack of goals and an unbelievable amount of fluffed chances, but enjoyed the coach’s full support.
His only contribution in the two matches he played as a replacement for Brockie was two yellow cards in a 2-0 win over Wits and a goalless draw away to Bloemfontein Celtic.
Nkhatha’s scoring ratio also makes for worrying reading with two goals in 15 games, the majority of which are substitute appearances. Starting probability: 90% The Togolese international is slowly making his way back from a knee injury that he suffered in September.
On potential, ability, talent and his track record, Wome is a no-brainer as an alternative to Brockie. But he hasn’t finished a game in the seven matches that he has featured in this season, and Wome has also not played for the club in the Telkom Knockout.
Baxter appears to still be reluctant to unleash the former Mamelodi Sundowns hitman, perhaps fearing he could aggravate his injury.
Due to his limited game time and his spell on the sidelines, Wome is yet to score and played a bit-part in the two matches that Brockie sat out in the lead up to Saturday’s encounter.
But Brockie’s injury, as well as concerns about Bradley Grobler’s fitness, could mean both Nkhatha and Wome get to play. Starting probability: 60% He’s the only other alternative that’s not like for like as he is an attacking midfielder, but proved to be an option for Baxter in the stalemate against Celtic at the weekend.
The former Polokwane City man and 2015 Footballer of the Year nominee was deployed just behind Nkhatha on Sunday. He was ineffective, however, and was taken off in the 56th minute for Wome in a tactical change.
Alexander has only made five appearances for his new club this season, struggling with injuries as well as battling to make an impact.
But he is capable of scoring when you least expect it, as evidenced by his four strikes in 28 league matches for Polokwane two seasons ago.
It was that impressive campaign that first caught Baxter’s attention but, while still at Chiefs, the Scot couldn’t sign him. Starting probability: 30%
KINGSTON NKHATHA:
Has the coach’s support