Kaizer Chiefs, under the guidance of their new technical team, will have the opportunity to further assess their squad in a competitive setting when they participate in the inaugural Home of Legends Cup.
The one-day tournament, to be held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, November 16th, will feature four top-flight clubs. Mamelodi Sundowns, Chippa United and Lamontville Golden Arrows complete the roster.
The tournament’s format is designed for fast-paced action. The first semi-final will see Arrows face Chiefs at 10:00 AM, followed by Chippa United against Sundowns at 1:00 PM. The final is scheduled for 5:00PM.
But, who are Kaizer Chiefs’ six players who could benefit immensely from this competition?
WHICH SIX KAIZER CHIEFS PLAYERS COULD BENEFIT FROM THE TOURNAMENT?
Tebogo Potsane: The right-wing position at Amakhosi remains vacant, a key factor considering coach Nasreddine Nabi’s reliance on traditional wingers in his formation. Potsane, a natural right-winger, has been training with the team for several weeks and now has the opportunity to prove his worth.
Unfortunately, injury has prevented the former Royal AM winger from making his first appearance for Nabi’so Chiefs this season. The 31-year-old’s last match was on December 30, 2023, against Sekhukhune United, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Du Preez has made limited appearances this season. He has one substitute appearance in the Carling Knockout Cup [scoring one goal] and five substitute appearances in the Betway Premiership. Despite his limited playing time, Du Preez’s pace and pressing ability make him a valuable asset to the team. Last season, the 27-year-old scored six goals in 27 matches, including four in the league.
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo: He has made limited appearances for Amakhosi this season. He played twice in the Carling Knockout Cup. Ngcobo came on as a substitute in the 4-0 win against SuperSport United and the 4-0 loss to Sundowns.
He also made a brief substitute appearance in the 2-2 league draw against Magesi FC. Despite his undeniable talent, the 24-year-old has yet to reach his full potential since joining the Amakhosi first team in 2018. The creative midfielder has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the 2020/21 season, where he played a crucial role in Chiefs’ historic journey to the CAF Champions League final. That season, he featured in 40 games, scoring four goals and providing four assists. This could be a chance to lift his hand and claim a place in Nabi’s team.
Given Msimango: Msimango’s playing time has been limited this season due to the arrival of Miguel Inacio and Rushwin Dortley. He has only made two substitute appearances. However, with Inacio suspended for the upcoming match after receiving a red card, Msimango is set to start in the heart of the defence.
They play Richards Bay FC in a Betway Premiership match on November 27 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Last season, he was a regular fixture for Amakhosi. He played in 27 games across all competitions. Zitha Kwinika is another player who could benefit from the absence of Dortley and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, who are currently on international duty.
Last season, he played 20 times for Chiefs and nine times for Stellenbosch FC. However, he has yet to make an appearance this season. The Home of Legends Cup presents a valuable opportunity for Mthethwa to showcase his abilities and prove his worth to coach Nabi.
Brandon Petersen: With Fiacre Ntwari currently away with the Rwanda national team, Petersen has an opportunity to solidify his position as Chiefs’ first-choice goalkeeper. Ntwari, who joined from TS Galaxy, has struggled to establish himself as the number one keeper.
Petersen’s own progress was hindered by an injury early in the season. While Ntwari started all official matches, Bruce Bvuma was given the nod for the CUFA Cup. Petersen, meanwhile, featured in a pre-season match against Yanga SC where Chiefs suffered a 4-0 defeat.
Perhaps his edge over Bvuma could be his ability with the ball at his feet. Judging by the two goalkeepers Nabi used in Tanzania and Morocco, he would likely need a goalie who can play with his feet.
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