Kaizer Chiefs boss expects Adolf Mtasingwa to make bigger impact after FIFA break

Kaizer Chiefs coach has backed Tanzanian midfielder Adolf Mtasingwa to play a more prominent role after the upcoming FIFA break, explaining that the player is still adapting after joining the club late in pre-season.

Mtasingwa has made only limited appearances for Amakhosi this season as he works to catch up with teammates and adjust to the club’s playing model. The coach said more opportunities would come when Chiefs begin a busy run of fixtures following the international break.

The explanation came after Chiefs’ 1-1 draw with Polokwane City. The coach spoke to the media through Julien Le Heran, the club’s head of sports science and fitness trainer, who also acted as his translator.

Asked about Mtasingwa’s adjustment to life at the Soweto club and the difficulties he had experienced since arriving in South Africa, the coach said the midfielder’s delayed arrival had affected his progress.

“He says that it’s related to his adaptation in South Africa because he arrived a little bit late during our pre-season, so he did need time to adapt to our model of play,” Le Heran said while relaying the coach’s response.

“He says, but he trusts him a lot. He says after the FIFA break, we’ll play a lot of games, so we will need everyone and everyone will get minutes in this period.”

The coach’s comments indicate that Mtasingwa remains part of his plans despite his restricted involvement at the start of the campaign. Rather than questioning the player’s place in the squad, he pointed to the need for more time to settle into the team’s approach.

Chiefs content with current squad

The coach also said he was satisfied with the squad available to him and did not expect Kaizer Chiefs to make additions simply for the sake of signing another player during the current transfer window.

He remained open to bringing someone in if a major opportunity emerged, but stressed that any move would need to improve the group.

“He says no, he is happy about the squad,” Le Heran said. “If there is one big opportunity, maybe we will take this opportunity, but he doesn’t want to take a player to take a player. So for the moment, he’s happy about that.”

The 1-1 draw with Polokwane City left Chiefs disappointed with the result, but the coach also believed the team was making progress as players continued to understand and adapt to the club’s model of play.

“He says, okay, we are disappointed about the results, but he thinks also that we are on the good way about the adaptation of the player with our model game.”