Revered former Kaizer Chiefs striker Collins Mbesuma has diagnosed Amakhosi’s persistent goal drought. For two decades, the bar set by the former Zambian international, Mbesuma, a staggering 35 goals in a single campaign, has remained untouched.
Ntofontofo has offered insights into why the net seems so elusive for the current crop of strikers. Speaking on the club’s current form ahead of next weekend’s Soweto Derby, Mbesuma pointed to a lack of tactical consistency as the primary hurdle.
Amakhosi have struggled to establish a consistent frontline, a challenge Mbesuma believes prevents strikers from settling into their rhythm. In the season opener, Naledi Hlongwane started against Stellenbosch FC, while Wandile Duba was fielded against Polokwane City FC, Richards Bay FC, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ashley Du Preez was in the starting line-up on match day five against Golden Arrows, with new signing Flavio Da Sikva starting against Sekgukhune. Du Preez also featured again against Marumo Gallants. In the 1-1 draw with AmaZulu FC, Khanyisa Mayo led the attack.
‘THERE’S A LOT OF CHOPPING AND CHANGING’: MBESUMA
“There’s a lot of chopping and changing, especially in the front players at the moment,” Mbesuma said during The Ultimate Soweto Derby Round Table on Friday. “We don’t have a regular striker that we can point to. It’s like this one plays two games, then this one is out.”
The numbers paint a sobering picture for the Soweto giants. In their first 15 league games of the current season, Chiefs have averaged exactly one goal per match. To find the last time an Amakhosi forward dominated the charts, one has to look back to the 2019/20 season, when Samir Nurković hit double figures. Since then, no striker has managed to reach the 10-goal mark.
Despite the ‘rough patch’, Mbesuma remains optimistic that the upcoming Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates could be the spark the team needs. The ex-Chipolopolo marksman insists the underdog tag might suit them.
“Everyone wants to play in a derby, and any striker wants to score against Pirates,” Mbesuma said. “They can surprise people. We have good strikers; they are just going through a difficult time. People think Pirates are going to win the league, but we are there.”
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