Big Chief is eyeing top spot
New man at Naturena has found an equally goal-hungry striker in Parker
IVEN the expectations placed on every new striker that arrives at Kaizer Chiefs, Kingston Nkhatha can be satisfied thus far with a job pretty well done at the Amakhosi.
The powerful 26-year-old striker arrived at Chiefs from Black Leopards this season with a few question marks over whether he could make the grade at Naturena. The early signs, however, are extremely positive, with Nkhatha slotting straight into new coach Stuart Baxter’s starting line up, and rewarding his manager with two goals in three league games.
“I have been achieving my aim,” said Nkhatha at Naturena yesterday, ahead of a return to face his old club Leopards at Soccer City on Saturday evening.
“Every striker, when he plays, wants to be top goalscorer, and I am working hard to do so.”
Nkhatha has formed a superb partnership with Bernard Parker in attack for the Amakhosi, and the Zimbabwean is enjoying playing with the in-form Bafana striker.
“Me and Bernard talk even when we are not playing about how we can move around and create space for each other ... everything is okay.”
Nkhatha sees a tricky encounter against his former side on Saturday.
“It will be nice to play my old club, but it will be a difficult game, because they know me and I know them, so they know how to close down all the angles,” he said.
The Zimbabwean striker, however, admitted that it works both ways.
“It will (also) help, it gives another edge to play against your old team, because you know their weaknesses and the good things they do,” he added.
Chiefs coach Baxter, meanwhile, has been impressed with
Gwhat Nkhatha has produced thus far, though he also sounded a word of warning. “Kingston has brought us a physical edge we didn’t have,” said Baxter yesterday.
“He has given us that pressure, where we have been playing well, playing good football, (but) sometimes with Kingston we can get the ball forward earlier, and he can make something out of it. He gives us an extra type of striker.
“I’m pleased with his progress, he can get better, but it’s difficult to come in, with people expecting and pressure on him.
“He’s delivered a couple of goals, though. Now there is the temptation to breathe out and go ‘that was tough, I’m I’. He’s got to keep on kicking on, and make sure he realises it’s a long journey.”
As for Parker, he is enjoying a new lease of life under Baxter, and the Chiefs coach was clearly impressed as his charge scored twice for Bafana against Mozambique on Tuesday night.
“Bernard is just playing well at the moment, he is full of confidence, he is sharp, just not hesitant in his movement,” said Baxter.
“He is creating space for himself and giving his midfield players a lot of opportunities to find him.
“I think he went offside once (against Mozambique). For a striker playing off the shoulder of the last defender, to run offside once is excellent. It’s an indication of how he is moving.
“I think when Parker was at his most depressed he would run offside six or seven times a game.”
Chiefs will go into the Leopards game with another former Lidoda Duvha star, Abia Nale, back in contention for a place after recovering from injury.
Right back Jimmy Tau, however, remains on the sidelines.