Kaizer Chiefs star Keagan Dolly’s absence from the starting line-up has raised eyebrows among the club’s fans but coach Arthur Zwane says competition for places in his side is high.
In not so many words, Zwane said the ball is in Dolly’s court, insisting that the attacker’s return to the starting 11 is very much in his own hands.
Dolly has been starting on the bench in Chiefs’ last few games, making appearances as a second half substitute.
The left-footed winger has been a fan favorite since joining Chiefs at the beginning of last season.
In the current DStv Premiership campaign, Dolly has been in and out of the starting line-up for Amakhosi and Zwane has come out to back his decision to drop Dolly to the bench.
Dolly was even dropped from the Bafana Bafana squad by Hugo Broos in the international friendlies against Sierra Leone and Botswana late in September with the SA coach citing the fact that the player has been on the bench mostly recently.
ZWANE ON DOLLY
“It [benching Dolly] boils down to competition in the squad right now,” Zwane told the media.
“Ashley [Du Preez] obviously, apart from missing the goal-scoring opportunities, he’s been doing well.
“I mean he gets into goal-scoring positions but unfortunately he can’t take them but he’ll come right.
“[Kgaugelo] Sekgota is doing very well, that’s why he got a call-up to the national team, so there’s competition for places in the team,” Zwane added.
10-man AmaZulu held Chiefs to a 1-1 draw in a drama-filled MTN8 first leg semi-final encounter on Sunday at FNB Stadium.
The Bafana midfielder came off the bench to score a cracker of a goal to pull one back for Chiefs against Usuthu, who drew the first blood in 13th minute thanks to a clean finish by Gabadinho Mhango.
In his first season with the Soweto giants, Dolly established himself as a one of the key players.
The 29-year old made 28 appearances in all competitions for the Glamour Boys last campaign, scoring seven goals while contributing five assists.
The Naturena-based side return to league action on Wednesday against struggling Swallows at Dobsonville Stadium. Kickoff is at 19:30.
