Kaizer Chiefs defender Thabiso Monyane is not bothered by his side’s scoring ratio in the Betway Premiership as compared to their title rivals, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Currently fourth in the standings—eight points adrift of frontrunners Pirates, Chiefs have struggled for firepower, netting just 15 goals in as many league games. In contrast, the log-leading Buccaneers have struck 26 times in 17 outings, a tally matched by second-placed Sundowns, despite the Brazilians having a game in hand.
Third-placed Sekhukhune United have also outscored the Glamour Boys, finding the back of the net 19 times in 18 matches. Paradoxically, despite their superior scoring records, both Pirates and Sundowns have recently joined Chiefs in bemoaning a lack of clinical finishing in the final third.
While Chiefs’ low scoring rate is an escalating concern that could jeopardise their title ambitions—or at least their pursuit of a CAF qualifying spot—Monyane remains remarkably unfazed by the side’s recent lack of a clinical edge.
MONYANE SEES ‘MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT’ AT CHIEFS
“We are running our own race as well. We are not solely focused on other teams,” Monyane told journalists at the Chiefs media open day on Monday.
“As I said, from where we were last season to where we are now, it’s a massive improvement, and I’m very happy to be here. We are running our own race, like I said, we are not too focused on who’s doing what, that’s how it is.”
In addition, club vice-captain Zitha Kwinika acknowledges the scoring problem, insisting they have learnt lessons from being blunt in front of goal.
“It’s a conversation we had in terms of saying, ‘boys, how did we not qualify in the CAF [Confederation Cup]’? It was a matter of [not scoring] goals and conceding goals also,” Kwinika added.
“That on its own was a defining factor of everything else. I think now going forward, everyone is aware of what impact it has, probably at a later stage.
“From that, we learnt our lesson, we paid our school fees cash, and we will get better from that.”
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