Kaizer Chiefs head coach Stuart Baxter has taken part of the blame for Nkosingiphile Ngcobo’s peripheral role in the first team this season.
The academy graduate is widely considered as one of the most technically gifted players in the squad but has been limited to just four league starts this season.
After coming on from the bench in the 0-0 draw with TS Galaxy on Tuesday, he struck the post in a rare bit of quality from the Chiefs attack on the evening.
And when quizzed about his limited action this season Baxter revealed he’s been at pain over finding a suitable role for the 22-year-old in the team that doesn’t affect the balance of the squad.
“It’s a few things, one, Mshini always works hard in training – he’s a great lad. The way that we’re playing, he’s competing with Khama [Billiat], Keagan [Dolly], Bernard [Parker]. He’s competing with our senior players,” Baxter said.
“I’ve struggled, I’ve said this to the technical staff, I’ve said this to Mshini, I’ve struggled to really find the best role for him.
“That’s not saying he can’t play in the system that we play, but we’ve tried him as a false nine, we’ve tried him coming from the right, in the pocket in midfield and behind the front players.
“But I’ve not got the best out of him yet, maybe it’s my fault, maybe his fault in adaptation. That’s not me giving up on him or I don’t rate him because I take every possibility I can to try and get him some minutes so he can feel comfortable with whatever role we give [him].
“So for Mshini it’s a work in progress but for both of us, I hope we find a role for him that he enjoys, I hope the role benefits the team.”
Ngcobo has scored twice and registered a single assist in 11 games this season, four of which have been starts – across all competitions.
