Former Kaizer Chiefs centre-back Thomas Sweswe has delivered a massive vote of confidence to the current Amakhosi defence, declaring the unit “can easily be the best in the league.”
The man who once anchored the Glamour Boys’ backline between 2009 and 2012 sees a potential for greatness in the present crop, believing they have finally forged a central defensive partnership that can rival the legendary Erick Mathoho and Tefu Mashamaite combination.
Sweswe, now based in England, singled out the growing telepathy between captain Zitha Kwinika [five league matches] and Mozambican international Inácio Miguel [eight league matches] as the bedrock of this defensive renaissance.
Beyond the key central duo, the retired footballer noted that the consistent contributions of fullbacks and support players—including Bradley Cross, Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane, and Dillan Solomons—are crucial to making the defence a cohesive and formidable force.
‘KAIZER CHIEFS’ DEFENSIVE UNIT IS BETTER THAN LAST SEASON’: SWESWE
In an interview with FARPost, Sweswe said The Glamour Boys can easily have the best defence this season, judging by how the available defenders are relating to each other. Sweswe said Kwinika and Miguel have significantly improved, making them a formidable defensive unit.
“To become the best defence in the league, they’ll need to step up their game and consistently keep opponents from scoring. There was Mathoho and Mashamaite, so they are not far from that,” said the ex-Amakhosi star.
“Every team starts play from the back, and the relationship that is between the centre-backs right now is in a better state than last season. I think that was the missing link last season. They [Kwinika and Miguel] seem to be understanding each other better. They now have that right bond to keep out any threat.
“It’s like having two captains, two leaders in the heart of your defence. Obviously, they will push the team from the back.”
Sweswe added: “But I can’t take away anything from the wing-backs, they are very mobile and they add so much to the team’s back-line.”
Amakhosi have played eight Betway Premiership matches, where they registered four wins, three draws and one defeat. And they are fifth on the log table, with 15 points.
In addition, the Soweto giants have scored eight goals in eight matches, while conceding five times. Last season, the Soweto giants conceded 32 goals, seven goals behind Marumo Gallants, who conceded the highest number of goals.
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