Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi has weighed in on who Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa must replace in the Amakhosi midfield.
Sibongiseni Mthethwa joined the DStv Premiership giants just two days before the transfer window shut from Stellenbosch FC, and Vilakazi believes that he should be a starter for the Amakhosi.
Ox made his debut last week in the 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United, making an impact in the 26 minutes he played.
Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki has a decision to make in midfield with Yusuf Maart, Edson Castillo, and George Matlou all competing for spots in the middle of the park.
They welcome Cape Town City at the FNB Stadium for their next DStv Premiership encounter.
Vilakazi believes who the new Chiefs man should replace is a no-brainer.
“He should come in for Maart,” he told iDiski TV. “He’s strong and is a good defensive midfielder. I rate him highly. You can feel his presence in that midfield. He’s good with the ball, he’s good without the ball.
‘OX IN AND MAART OUT IN MIDFIELD, SAYS TSO
“When you’ve got a player like that defence wise, he can come in and help the defence.
“And then, when they get the ball, he can … start helping them going forward.”
His worry, however, is whether Amakhosi are going to have two midfielders playing close to the 29-year-old. He says if you play the two midfield players far from him “it’ll be a waste for Mthethwa.”
Vilakazi’s suggestion that Maart should be the one to make way for Mthethwa is an interesting one. Maart occasionally captained Chiefs last season and has shown glimpses of the impact he could make.
In fact, he recently said he was comfortable as an eight, and the arrival of the former Black Leopards midfielder gives him that license.
Mthethwa turned into a talisman just months after his arrival at Stellies, and a lot is expected from him at Naturena.
Ultimately, the decision of who to play in midfield is up to Chiefs coach Ntseki. However, Vilakazi’s suggestion that Mthethwa resonates with the Khosi nation.
Chiefs will be looking to get another win on the bounce against a City side that has not had the best start.
The Citizens are ninth after picking only their third win against Cape Town Spurs on Saturday, which was their eighth game of the season. They have lost four and drew once.
Sixth-placed Chiefs have also had an indifferent start, winning three, drawing twice, and losing thrice.
The two clubs are just separated by a single point going into the encounter.
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