Da Cruz faces key defensive decision as Chiefs lose Miguel

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz must now settle on a regular central-defensive partnership after Inacio Miguel was suspended, creating an opportunity to pair a right-footed defender with a left-footer.

Chiefs have conceded 12 goals in 13 matches this season and have frequently changed personnel across their defence, including in goal. Brandon Petersen and Renaldo Leaner have both played, although Petersen has returned to take up the first-choice role.

There has also been a lack of continuity at full-back. Thabiso Monyane, Reeve Frosler and Dillan Solomons have featured on the right, while Paseka Mako, Bradley Cross, Frosler and Pule Mmodi have all been used on the left.

Da Cruz has selected four different players in central defence: Miguel, Thabo Moloisane, Rushwin Dortley and Zitha Kwinika.

The centre-back positions are now the main area he needs to stabilise, with the coach moving away from his experiment with a back three. Moloisane has been the most regular central defender over the past 10 matches and is expected to partner Dortley from the next game, following Miguel’s suspension.

That combination would give Chiefs a balance of a right-footed defender in Moloisane and a left-footed one in Dortley.

The pair have already played together this season. They lined up as Chiefs defeated TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout shortly before the derby, when Miguel was rested as a precaution to ensure he was available for the high-profile fixture.

Chiefs won that match 3-0, their biggest victory of the season. It was also one of only four games in which Amakhosi have kept a clean sheet.

The club still has at least 23 matches to play in all competitions, leaving Da Cruz with considerable time to establish a more settled defensive structure.