Khanye criticises Chiefs substitutions in draw with Stellenbosch FC

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Da Cruz made a mistake by replacing Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba during Tuesday’s 1-1 Betway Premiership draw with Stellenbosch FC, according to IDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye.

Shabalala, 22, started at FNB Stadium and scored Chiefs’ equaliser, helping the club extend their run to five draws in their last six league matches this season.

The result left Amakhosi fourth in the league table with 14 points from eight games.

Khanye said Shabalala was among only three Kaizer Chiefs players who showed enough urgency in trying to win the match, and questioned why the midfielder was taken off after scoring.

“There were only three players from Kaizer Chiefs that were willing to play,” Khanye said on IDiski TV.

“For me the coach made a big mistake by subbing Mdu. Just looking at the first half he provided big pass to [Wandile] Duba.”

Khanye also praised Duba’s movement and said he preferred the forward to the other strikers at Kaizer Chiefs.

“That boy, of all the strikers at Kaizer Chiefs I prefer him. He knows how to run off the ball that’s something you hardly see from a Kaizer Chiefs striker,” he said.

“When he’s there, he’s arrogant and the defence cannot rest.”

Duba was also substituted, a decision Khanye said he could not understand. He added that Mfundo Vilakazi had performed well on the left, but questioned the decision to use him in a wide position.

“Even Mfundo Vilakazi did very well on the left but the coach played him on the line and I don’t understand why play him wide when he lacks speed,” Khanye said.

He returned to the decision to replace Shabalala, asking why the coaching staff had taken off one of Chiefs’ most effective players and brought on Ethan Chislett.

“And again on Mdu, you’d think the coaches are reading the game. Between him and his assistants who said let’s take Mdu off after scoring. Taking him out for [Ethan] Chislett?” he said.

Khanye felt Chislett was not ready to influence the match after spending a prolonged period without playing.

“Chislett looked rusty he hasn’t been playing for long. In today’s game Mdu played so well. Even Duba I don’t understand why he went off.”