Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki has a number of selection dilemmas ahead of the team’s next match, with several players making a strong case for starting spots against Sekhukhune United.
Chiefs are a team in the middle of a squad rebuild, and with nine new signings this season, positions are up for grabs.
Ntseki continues to find his feet in the Amakhosi dugout and would have been impressed by some players in the 2-1 win over Sekhukhune in a league game at Moses Mabhida on Wednesday night.
Here are three players who made a solid case to start against Cape Town City on Tuesday at the FNB Stadium. The two teams clash in a DStv Premiership encounter.
Edmilson Dove
The Mozambican has sat it out due to injury, with Sifiso Hlanti slotting in at left-back. Dove is a versatile defender who can play at centre-back or left-back. Last season, he played as a left centre-back. He is strong in the air, good on the ball, and a good goalscorer.
Playing left-back, where Hlanti could have done better this season, the Mambas captain put in a Man-of-the-Match performance. He capped that off with the winner as Amakhosi took all three points home. Judging by that performance, Dove is sure to start in the next match.
Sibongiseni Mthethwa
‘The Ox’ was playing his first match for Chiefs following his much-anticipated move from Stellenbosch FC. He came on and played for 26 minutes. He stabilised the Soweto giants’ midfield. The 29-year-old screened the defence quite well, breaking down a few of Babina Noko’s attacks.
With Ox in the mix, the Chiefs engine room looked more assured. He certainly looks like a player who deserves to start against City, as Ntseki will be looking for another set of three points.
Reeve Frosler
Zitha Kwinika has played right back, with Frosler coming on from the bench in recent games. But against Sekhukhune, he would have proved the better of the two at fullback. The robust and athletic rightback ventured forward, providing an assist on Wednesday. With good cover from Ox, Frosler will be free to venture up and down the wing. He looks like another player Ntseki may not want to drop against City.
WHO ELSE WAS GOOD FOR CHIEFS?
Besides those three, Njabulo Ngcobo was exceptional at centre-back, while George Matlou showed what he could give to the team. However, Ntseki still has Given Msimango at centre-back, who could still be ahead of Ngcobo in the pecking order.
In midfield, the former Bafana Bafana coach will likely pick three of his midfielders from Edson Castillo, Mthethwa, Matlou, and Yusuf Maart. Castillo and Mthethwa may be difficult to drop. The Venezuelan has goals in him, while Ox is a traditional CDM who has seemingly been the missing link. The coach may look at picking his eight between Matlou and Maart.
It will be interesting to see who Ntseki selects for the next match. All three players have made a strong case for starting spots, which will be a difficult decision for the coach. However, whoever he selects, he can be confident that he is picking a player who is in good form and who will give his all for the team.
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