Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-2 draw with Richards Bay FC on Wednesday night exposed glaring defensive mistakes, tactical changes forced by injuries, and five big questions for the Glamour Boys moving forward.
Self-inflicted defensive errors saw Chiefs drop two points in the Betway Premiership, leaving Amakhosi winless in two consecutive matches following their draw against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Twenty-year-old Nqaba Xulu scored twice for the hosts, while Amakhosi replied through midfielders Lebo Maboe from the penalty spot and Siphesihle Ndlovu. New signing Faiz Abrahams offered an encouraging glimpse of what he could bring to coach Fernando Da Cruz’s side.
Here are five major insights from Chiefs’ draw against Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday night.
1. PETERSEN COSTLY START CONTINUES
Brandon Petersen enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season, but his early-season form has been far less convincing. The Chiefs captain was directly responsible for Richards Bay’s opening goal after failing to clear the ball, allowing Xulu to take advantage. It was Petersen’s third costly mistake of the season.
With the wet conditions, Xulu anticipated that the goalkeeper’s touch would carry the ball further than intended because of the rain and positioned himself to pounce. Petersen has now kept just one clean sheet in five matches. At the same stage last season, he was yet to concede. Chiefs may still have confidence in him, but the errors are becoming too frequent to ignore.
2. XULU ANNOUNCES HIMSELF ON THE BIG STAGE
There could be no argument over the man-of-the-match award. Xulu scored both Richards Bay goals and delivered the kind of performance that can change the trajectory of a young player’s career. The former Milford FC forward has now scored three times in three appearances since joining the KwaZulu-Natal club.
His first goal showed great anticipation, as Xulu read the conditions and applied pressure, which paid off. Against one of the country’s biggest clubs, he played with confidence beyond his years and provided Richards Bay with a constant threat.
3. CHIEFS WERE ARCHITECTS OF THEIR OWN PROBLEMS
Da Cruz’s post-match assessment was blunt. Chiefs gifted Richards Bay two goals. Amakhosi were punished for a mistake while attempting to build from the back, with the Natal Rich Boyz pressing intelligently and waiting for opportunities to emerge. Petersen’s error was the most obvious, but it was not the only occasion when Chiefs looked vulnerable in possession.
Amakhosi occasionally took unnecessary risks in areas where losing possession immediately exposed their back line. They, however, showed enough resilience to respond twice, but Da Cruz will know they cannot continually rely on their attacking players to repair damage caused at the other end.
4. ABRAHAMS OFFERS SOMETHING CHIEFS HAVE BEEN MISSING
Faiz Abrahams made his debut when he was introduced from the bench, but his brief appearance offered a clear indication of what he could add. The winger delivered three crosses in a short period, each carrying the type of quality and intent Chiefs have too often lacked from wide areas. His delivery appeared more natural and consistent than that of the other wide players currently available to Da Cruz.
That could prove particularly valuable with centre-forwards such as Etiosa Ighodaro and Flávio da Silva in the squad. Both can attack balls into the penalty area, but they need a reliable supply.
5. THREE CENTRE-BACKS LOOKS LIKE A TEMPORARY SOLUTION
Chiefs again started their three centre-backs, Thabo Moloisane, Miguel Inácio and Zitha Kwinika. The shape appears to be driven more by necessity than preference. Amakhosi recently had five players capable of operating at left-back unavailable through injury, forcing Da Cruz to find a system that offered greater protection on that side.
Reeve Frosler’s return to the bench was therefore significant. As Chiefs’ full-back options improve, it will be interesting to see whether Da Cruz persists with the back three or returns to a more conventional defensive structure.
However, it is difficult to imagine Chiefs travelling to Richards Bay and adopting such a cautious shape under normal circumstances. The decision appeared intended to manage their left-back crisis rather than to reveal a long-term tactical plan.
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