Baxter looks to re-design Chiefs’ attack to accommodate ‘Mshini’
Stuart Baxter says he will consider reconfiguring Kaizer Chiefs’ attack to make room for the talented Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
Ngcobo, affectionately known as ‘Mshini’, put in a series of solid performances in the DStv Premiership in December – netting two goals and providing an assist.
However, Baxter, who has relegated Ngcobo to the bench, was not on the sidelines as he had tested positive for Covid with Dillon Sheppard and Arthur Zwane in charge at the time.
“He put his hand up, and that’s why he played again. So when we get back, we have to think about a way of playing that gets all of our best players on the field,” said Baxter.
“And if he continues to do that, then he’s telling me I’m one of the best players, I need to be on the field. So whatever shape or balance we have to the team, if we’re playing with back-three or back-four, three front players or two and one behind, whatever we play, he’s telling me ‘you better have me mind’.
Ngcobo, 22, also impressed in the recently concluded DStv Compact Cup – voted by the fans to play for the Warriors The attacking midfielder featured in 40 matches in all competitions last campaign before Baxter’s arrival.
“So it isn’t a question of I don’t like him, and Dillon Sheppard and Arthur Zwane thought it was a great idea to smuggle him into the team. Because they know that when I came back, if that was the case, I would just bin him again,” added the Chiefs coach.
“But, I’m serious about trying to find a system that will get Keagan Dolly, Mshini, Khama Billiat, Bernard Parker, maybe Samir Nurkovic is coming back. One of them is not going to be in the line-up.
So I’ve got to try and get as many on the field as I can. Maybe we have to get a bit more creative with that.”
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