Makua says Kaizer Chiefs coach was too cautious against Golden Arrows

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Frank Makua believes coach Fernando Da Cruz’s conservative approach contributed to Sunday’s goalless draw with Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Amakhosi were held to a point at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit after struggling to create and finish chances. Their afternoon was compounded in the 33rd minute when Golden Arrows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa saved a penalty taken by Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe.

Makua said the decision to select Sibongiseni Mthethwa in midfield reflected an overly defensive mindset, particularly from a team expected to push for all three points.

“I think the draw occurred because the creativity as well as the finishing were not there yesterday,” Makua tells KICK OFF.

He dismissed the heat as a possible explanation, pointing out that both teams had faced the same conditions.

“They should have converted the small number of chances they managed to create yesterday, but they couldn’t. And that is where the problem was. From my point of view, I was not satisfied. They tried, but it was not enough.”

Makua also suggested Da Cruz had been influenced by Golden Arrows’ previous victory over Chiefs in the MTN8.

“I think the Kaizer Chiefs coach is scared of Golden Arrows. Just because they beat us in the MTN8, the Chiefs coach thought it would be wise to be too cautious this time around. He didn’t want to go all out in the first half; he wanted to reveal his cards in the second half.”

Makua questioned Mthethwa’s suitability for a match in which Chiefs needed greater attacking creativity. While he praised the midfielder’s defensive ability, he argued that his limitations in possession affected the team’s forward play.

“Otherwise, he was not supposed to include Mthethwa in that midfield yesterday because the man is not comfortable on the ball, but defensively Mthethwa is superb though. It’s just that he rarely makes a successful forward pass; most of the time his passes are disrupted. He likes passing the ball back to the back four.”