Kaizer Chiefs defence tested as Kwinika and Miguel come under scrutiny

Former Kaizer Chiefs centre-back Mokete Tsotetsi says the club’s injury-hit defence lacks the confidence and leadership required to give a team of its stature a solid foundation.

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has already criticised his error-prone back line in public, pointing to a shortage of leadership in the Amakhosi defence.

With injuries limiting his options, Da Cruz currently has Zitha Kwinika and Inacio Miguel as his main choices at centre-back. Tsotetsi believes the pair have not yet provided the consistency Chiefs need.

The former defender, who is now coach of University of Free State, said the regular back five should have developed a greater understanding after playing together for several matches.

“We’ve been playing the same back five, including the goalkeeper, for quite a few games now, so our backline is supposed to be gelling and gaining momentum. At the moment, there is no understanding amongst the back five,” Tsotetsi told KickOff.

Tsotetsi also questioned Kwinika’s natural position and expressed concern over Miguel’s recent performances for both club and country.

“I don’t know if Kwinika is naturally a centre-back or a full-back. Miguel, on the other side, hasn’t been at his best, especially as an international from Angola. So, both of them haven’t been on top of their game.

“I’m with the head coach; the team needs a leader at the back. The fact that Miguel is no longer getting call-ups for his national team means his performance has dropped,” he added.

Miguel has also attracted attention because of his disciplinary record. The Angolan defender has made 64 appearances for Kaizer Chiefs and, according to the figures cited, has been booked once every three matches on average.

That record has contributed to a reputation for frequently appearing in referees’ notebooks. Former Kaizer Chiefs defenders Morgan Gould and Andrew Rabutla, both previously associated with repeated bookings, did not reach the same level over any three-year period, according to the report.

Kwinika has faced criticism of his own in recent weeks, particularly for the force of his challenges. Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani condemned the defender’s tackle on Siwelele FC player Blessing Thulo, saying it came close to causing a serious injury.

Speaking on SABC’s Soccer Zone, Hlungwani accepted that Kwinika had initially won the ball but argued that the follow-through endangered his opponent.

“He got the ball clearly [in the initial tackle, but] this is brutality. It is endangering the safety of an opponent,” Hlungwani said.

“He gets the ball, and after getting the ball, straight leg on the ankle there. This is brutality.”

Kaizer Chiefs, who defeated Siwelele FC 3-2 in a league match on Sunday, must now prepare for another test away from home. The Soweto club will face Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.