Matthew Booth questions Kaizer Chiefs’ back-three tactics after Stellenbosch draw

Former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Matthew Booth has criticised Kaizer Chiefs’ defensive organisation, saying three centre-backs marking one attacker contributed to the space Stellenbosch FC exploited in Tuesday’s 1-1 Betway Premiership draw.

Chiefs conceded Sinoxolo Kwayiba’s opening goal after Stellenbosch broke through their defence at FNB Stadium, with Booth particularly concerned by the positioning of the back three.

The former centre-back, who made 37 appearances for South Africa during an 18-year professional career and won several league titles with Sundowns, said one of Chiefs’ defenders should have stepped forward rather than holding a flat line.

“The right side centre-back in that situation should be pushing up into a gap. You can’t be standing flat, marking a player, as the coach mentioned,” Booth said on SuperSport TV’s ExtraTime.

“There was no immediate pressure on the ball carrier; they were able to rotate it back on the inside far too easily, and your back three centre-backs are marking one player.”

Booth added that defenders in a back three must be able to move into open areas and adjust their positions instead of remaining static.

“The modern centre-back in a back three has to be versatile, has to be moving into space, and they just did not do that. They were too static, and Stellenbosch took advantage of it,” he said.

Coach Da Cruz has increasingly favoured a system based on three centre-backs, with Chiefs using a cautious line-up against Stellenbosch that included as many as seven defensively-minded players.

Despite that approach, Chiefs have conceded eight goals in their first eight league matches of the season. That record compares unfavourably with their main rivals, with Orlando Pirates having conceded only one goal and league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns allowing seven.

Chiefs now turn their attention to continental competition, with little time to address their domestic disappointment before their next fixture.

They travel to Ndola in Zambia to play Red Arrows in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round at Levi Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 15:00.

Da Cruz will be seeking a more secure defensive performance as Chiefs aim to return from Zambia with a favourable result before the second leg next Friday at Moses Mabhida Stadium.