Sheppard defends Frosler midfield role after Chiefs draw

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard has defended the decision to play Reeve Frosler in midfield after the club were held to a third consecutive Betway Premiership draw by Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium.

The 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening was Chiefs’ fifth stalemate of the 2026/27 campaign. Although Amakhosi remain unbeaten in the league this season, their failure to convert promising displays into victories has brought renewed scrutiny of their 5-2-3 formation and tactical approach.

Frosler was asked to operate alongside Sibongiseni Mthethwa in midfield after Chiefs were left without several established options. Lebohang Maboe, Adolf Mtasingwa and Siphesihle Ndlovu were all unavailable because of injury, while attacker Langelihle Phili and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen remain sidelined after suffering injuries before the recent international break.

The makeshift selection also saw Frosler come up against former Chiefs midfielder Njabulo Blom, who now plays for Stellenbosch FC. Blom made life difficult for his former club in the middle of the pitch during the match at FNB Stadium.

Sheppard said the choice was based on Frosler’s previous experience in the position and the limited alternatives available to the coaching staff.

“With Reeve Frosler, why would you say he’s a defender?” Sheppard asked during his post-match press conference.

“The reason with the line-up, obviously with the injuries that we’ve had, young Thulani [Mabaso] has just come back from injury.

“To throw him into a game where we’ve just come back from a FIFA break, I think it would’ve been unfair on him.

“So, we had to find alternatives. In pre-season, we worked with Reeve in the midfield and like I said he’s played that position before.

“With the three weeks we had, we’ve prepared with him. He did really, really well. So, that was the reason behind him.”

The assistant coach made clear that Frosler’s selection was not a decision taken on the day of the game. Chiefs had used him in midfield during pre-season and continued preparing him for the role during the three-week build-up to the meeting with Stellenbosch FC.

Sheppard’s comments came after another league match in which Chiefs were unable to turn an unbeaten start into a win. The latest draw leaves the side needing to improve their results if they are to match their encouraging run without defeat with a stronger points return.

Chiefs will now temporarily switch their attention away from domestic football and towards continental competition. They travel to Zambia to play Red Arrows in the first leg of their second qualifying-round tie in the 2026–27 CAF Confederation Cup.

The fixture gives Amakhosi the chance to move on from their recent domestic frustrations and strengthen their bid to reach the competition’s group stages.