Billiat’s Chiefs showing relegation form again

JOHANNESBURG. — Kaizer Chiefs are showing the form of a relegation side and the return of coach Stuart Baxter has not produced the spark they needed in the South African DStv Premiership campaign.

The Amakhosi, who have Zimbabwean star Khama Billiat in their fold, have so far garnered just five points from as many games out of a possible 15 with a point-per-game ratio.

In the previous campaign, they suffered defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on their opening day clash before a win at Chippa United.

They then drew against both TS Galaxy and Golden Arrows before another defeat to Swallows FC.

Despite the addition of several new players, such as Sibusiso Mabiliso, Njabulo Ngcobo, Austin Dube, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Keagan Dolly, Cole Alexander, Sifiso Hlanti, Brandon Peterson and Phathutshedzo Nange, Chiefs remain a side searching for improved displays.

So far, this season, an opening day draw against TS Galaxy was followed by the solitary win over Baroka FC before consecutive defeats to Sundowns and Royal AM, with a draw at Marumo Gallants, in their last game.

The last time Baxter led Chiefs, he accrued 15 points after five games, in a perfect record, on his way to winning the league.

In comparison, and keeping in with their current PPG ratio, Chiefs would finish just outside of last season’s relegation places.

Maritzburg United, who finished last season on the same total of 30 points, finished just two places ahead of the 15th positioned team, Chippa United, who contested the relegation play-offs. The Soweto giant’s indifferent early form has infuriated fans who had hoped for improved displays following a squad overhaul.

The AmaKhosi are undergoing a trophy drought, over the last six campaigns, the longest barren spell in their proud 51-year history.

Under Gavin Hunt, Chiefs followed a similar trend of bad form, which eventually resulted in the experienced tactician being shown the exit door.

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Farouk Khan believes the disappointing result against Marumo Gallants proves the club’s struggles look set to continue. In what was their first match, since the embarrassing defeat to Royal AM, Amakhosi could only grab a point in a drab goalless draw on Sunday.

“I think the struggle continues, I think they need to get to a point where they need to have balance in the team where they are more fluent both in attack and defence,’’ Khan told Kickoff. com.

“I think there’s still a lot of permutations they need to work out, at the same time there’s not enough time because if you don’t hit the ground running and you don’t get early points, you are always going to be playing catch up.”

Khan though, believes Chiefs have enough to turn their fortunes around.

“I think they have the material, I think they have a very good squad. I think it’s now for the technical staff to put it together.

“It’s hard for me to say what they should do, or shouldn’t do, with the players they have. How it works in football is you look at the game, assess your weaknesses and improve your strengths.

“You look at your centre pairing, and you will see their understanding and the ability to understand themselves.

“If you are happy, then fine, but if not you got time from now on until the next game to work on that, and then you will decide if you will go with the same guys Mathoho and Cardoso and then take it from there.

“They are spoiled for choice because they proved again when they brought in Akpeyi, he had a fantastic game.

“If he wasn’t playing, you still have the likes of Khune, Bvuma and you still have Ngcobo from Swallows, who is quite a good defender you haven’t used, also you’ve got Mabiliso, who I rate highly.

“They have the quality. So, I think they have to put the puzzle together you know.” — Kickoff.com