Sheppard demands sharper finishing and tighter defence from Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard says the club must improve their decision-making in the final third and stop conceding avoidable goals after their 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch FC.

The Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Tuesday ended with Kaizer Chiefs extending their unbeaten run, but the result continued a frustrating sequence for the Naturena-based side. The draw was their fifth in eight league matches.

Stellenbosch FC took the lead early in the second half through Sinoxolo Kwayiba, before Mduduzi Shabalala restored parity for the Soweto club in the 58th minute.

Kaizer Chiefs had several clear opportunities to claim all three points, but their failure to convert those chances left Sheppard dissatisfied despite the unbeaten record.

“It is not a case of settling for a point,” he told journalists after the match.

“We are not losing games, but it is not good enough.”

Chiefs urged to improve at both ends

Sheppard said Kaizer Chiefs struggled to find the right balance when they attempted to push for a winner, with the team unable to commit enough players to attack while also maintaining defensive security.

“As the game went on we wanted to throw bodies forward but we were a bit back-heavy,” he said.

“They threw two up front and we were five (at the back). We tried to get the wing backs higher and to get other midfielders to join but we didn’t have that, we have to go back and improve. We get into the final third and are not able to capitalise. It is something we have to work on.”

The assistant coach also highlighted the nature of the goals Kaizer Chiefs have been conceding, saying the defensive problems must be addressed if the team are to turn draws into victories.

“Each game is different, with different merits and objectives, but we want to win football games. I think we are doing enough to win, but if you look at the type of goals we are conceding, we have to be better.”

The result came after Stellenbosch FC had taken advantage of an early second-half opportunity, while Kaizer Chiefs needed Shabalala’s equaliser to avoid defeat. The hosts’ missed chances then prevented them from completing a comeback.

Kaizer Chiefs will now turn their attention to the CAF Confederation Cup. They travel to face Red Arrows FC in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

The match will provide the team with another opportunity to address the attacking and defensive shortcomings identified by Sheppard, as they seek to build on their unbeaten start while reducing the number of points dropped through draws.