Sekhukhune United’s Cedric Kaze gains clarity over goalkeeper selection

Sekhukhune United manager Cedric Kaze says he now has a clearer plan for rotating his goalkeepers after Melusi Buthelezi helped the side beat Polokwane City 2-0 in the league.

Buthelezi started the Limpopo Derby at Seshego Stadium on Saturday, making his third appearance for Babina Noko in all competitions since joining the club. The former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in Sekhukhune’s 1-0 season-opening victory over Durban City before featuring in the seven-goal MTN8 quarter-final thriller against AmaZulu.

His selection against Polokwane City came after he had been left on the bench for the previous league fixture, a 2-0 defeat by Kaizer Chiefs. Toaster Nsabata was preferred in goal for that match.

Kaze’s decision to switch between the two goalkeepers has now given him a better indication of how he wants to manage the position as the season progresses.

“You know, it’s a reflection as well,” said Kaze.

“But I’m pretty sure that now I have got the idea of what I want to do in that regard, and we will see in the next games.

The victory over Polokwane City moved Sekhukhune United up to fourth place in the league standings, with six points from their opening three matches.

For Kaze, the result was particularly important because it followed the loss to Kaizer Chiefs, his former side. The coach said he had been looking for a response from his players and was satisfied to see them return to winning ways in a derby encounter.

“Yeah, it’s the kind of reaction that we were waiting for as well,” added the coach.

“You know, it’s a derby and it’s a good way to react and to get back to the winning side of the league.”

Buthelezi’s return to the starting line-up also provided the goalkeeper with another opportunity to build his involvement at Sekhukhune United. He has now featured in the season opener, the MTN8 quarter-final against AmaZulu and the league win over Polokwane City, while Nsabata started against Kaizer Chiefs.

Kaze did not confirm whether either goalkeeper would be established as his permanent first choice, but said the recent changes had helped him form a view on how to proceed in that department in the upcoming matches.

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