Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye says his former side need to swallow their pride and sign Andile Jali as youngsters aren’t contributing much in big games like the Soweto Derby in the Nedbank Cup semi-final this past weekend.
Chiefs were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup by their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in extra-time – a result that means the trophy drought extended to eight seasons.
Khanye says though Chiefs looked better of the two Soweto sides, the game was too big for players like Samkelo Zwane and Mduduzi Shabalala.
With Jali set to leave Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of the season, Khanye desperately wants Amakhosi to swallow their pride and sign Jali, while also looking at other options like Khanysiso Mayo too.
“It’s also about signings. As I said even in the January transfer window, the coach should have realised that he needs a defensive holding midfielder, someone who will link the defense and the midfield. They may be proud but they need Andile and that’s my opinion,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“So Pirates had a game plan, it was not pretty hence I say this game separated men from boys. We need to be honest about some players at Chiefs especially after a derby.
“There are games were you could see they were struggling so there was no way they were going to pull through in a semi-final derby. We need to be honest.
“Pirates didn’t play well but credit to Jose Riveiro and players who were taking responsibility. Kaizer Chiefs looked a bit better, it’s just that the quality is not enough.
“If they had quality players they would have taken some responsibility. So they have to go back to the drawing board. Some of us we love the team.
“We grew up there and when we speak, we speak with passion because they have all the resources. If they can do a proper research and assessment and also swallow their pride they will realise they need someone like Andile and others.
“I mean there are players who aren’t playing and don’t even make the bench at Sundowns, those players can come in and help. Even players like [Khanyisa] Mayo, too.
“They have to bring in those type of players instead of the internationals like Saile and Bimenyimana. I mean Bimenyimana couldn’t even win a single high ball and trap it, give it to someone so he could run off the ball.
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“That’s why it pains me so much because I know the team. So I don’t buy faces, I’m just honest. That team has a lot of history and even at my short time there I can say they need to go back to the drawing board because if they continue like this they are going to forever be hopeful and nothing will change. The situation doesn’t need shortcuts.”
You can listen to Khanye’s full analysis of the derby on IDiski TV official YouTube channel
