It took almost the entirety of an extended transfer window, but The Ox; Sibongiseni Mthethwa finally got his dream transfer to Kaizer Chiefs.
Mthethwa joined Chiefs on a three-year deal, ending an agonising spell of waiting for Amakhosi fans, who constantly glanced at their phones nervously for news of the transfer.
The 29-year-old, who boasts close to a complete skillset for a traditional number six, is undoubtedly at the peak of his powers. In the 2022/23 PSL term at Stellenbosch FC, he had his best season to date.
Coach Dylan Kerr, who worked with him at Black Leopards, paints a picture of a man capable of playing at the base of midfield at the top level.
Here are four qualities that could make Sibongiseni Mthethwa a valuable asset for Soweto Giants in the DStv Premiership.
GOOD READER OF THE GAME WITH A GREAT POSITIONAL SENSE
Having exceptional positional sense, anticipation, and a high work rate is worth its weight in gold for a defensive midfielder.
That cocktail is ‘a quality’ that puts him head and shoulders above his new teammates like it did at Lidoda Duvha. “When he came to Leopards, we had some very good players in that position. But he immediately stood out head and shoulders above everyone,” Kerr tells FARPost.
“His positional sense was what made him different. He was always in the right area at the right time.”
Thanks to his ability to read the game, Ox “breaks down a lot of counter-attacking transitions”.
He is also excellent at selecting moments to join attacks. He seldom ventures out of what would usually be expected of his position.
A SAFETY ANCHOR WHO SCREENS THE DEFENCE
A reliable defensive midfielder is the unsung hero of any successful team. He is a vital cog in the engine room. Shielding the defence, mopping up loose balls, and linking them to the midfield.
And in Ox’s case, he is undoubtedly not the flashiest of players. Neither does he amass the greatest recognition despite his importance in maintaining the shape of the entire organisation of the team.
“At Leopards, he used to play as a box-to-box midfielder. He has changed his game to become that safety in front of the back four.”
The Bafana Bafana midfielder seems like a player who would thrive at the base of a midfield three, holding the ‘engine room’ together and allowing his teammates to work their magic ahead.
One of his biggest strengths is thwarting progressive passes forward as he holds everything together. This allows his midfield partners to step out of position or drift into half-spaces.
INITIATING TRANSITION FROM DEFENCE TO ATTACK
Not only does he hold these vital defensive roles, but he is capable of being more than just a watchful eye. While he provides stability at the back, he often initiates a smoother transition from defence to attack.
“I’m happy for him that a team like Kaizer Chiefs have seen [him]. He may be the missing player who can give them that attacking flair of the way Kaizer Chiefs always used to play back in the day.
“He’s just a simple player who gets the ball and gives it to the players in front of him. You don’t get that in too many players in Africa.
“When they get on the ball, they want to do things by themselves. He can start an attack by giving it to whoever is in front of him.
“The way that Chiefs play – they’ve got attack-minded players. If you’ve got that one player who is a safety anchor and can read the game and break up counterattacks. They can allow a different transition, and that’s where he could be more valuable to them.”
Interestingly, Chiefs are a team that could potentially hurt teams in transition, judging from some of the goals they have scored this season. And his ability, though not a big part of his game, to switch play could also work in their favour.
WILL FREE UP HIS TEAMMATES
FARPost recently asked Yusuf Maart what his favoured position was, and his answer suggests he could benefit from the arrival of the Escourt-born midfielder. “[I’m most comfortable] as a number eight…because I feel I can go box-to-box,” Maart said.
His role and that of Maverick signing Edson Castillo will undoubtedly change. Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki can set the duo on the loose, knowing the defensive duties in the middle of the park are well taken care of.
Castillo and Maart love being on the ball and are generally not big on defensive abilities.
His comfort and excellence in the hole allowed Stellenbosch to push their full-backs and other midfielders into positions behind their opponents’ midfield.
Sifiso Hlanti and Reeve Frosler can now venture forward, knowing there is good cover at the base of midfield.
“With the way Chiefs want to play, having that anchor in front of your back four hopefully will inspire Chiefs to become more attacking, more impenetrable. And take their attacking dimensions to a different level.”
Besides the above qualities, Kaizer Chiefs have secured a destroyer, an enigmatic leader of sorts and a player confident in his abilities.
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