Extra Time: While Gaston Sirino could be an important player for Kaizer Chiefs, relying on him too much will be unwise, writes Michael Madyira.
Gaston Sirino recently joined Kaizer Chiefs after Mamelodi Sundowns decided against renewing his contract, which ended on 30 June.
His arrival at Naturena on a two-year deal has divided opinion among PSL fans.
Some felt Chiefs were making another transfer mistake by signing a 33-year-old who struggled for game time at Sundowns last season.
At Chloorkop, he was regarded as surplus to requirements, and Chiefs were viewed as settling for rejects after they also signed defender Bongani Sam, whom Orlando Pirates discarded.
Others were confident in Sirino’s addition, seeing an experienced player as needed to guide Amakhosi’s younger players.
An attacking midfielder with experience playing Caf Champions League football, Sirino knows the local football landscape well, having spent seven seasons in the PSL.
It is now left to Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi and Sirino himself to show that signing the Uruguayan was a strategy built on something other than thin ice.
Getting good supporting players around the former Sundowns star is needed to get the best out of him.
He is not a lone attacker, and some dangerous dependence on him will likely see Sirino flopping like other players who moved from Sundowns to Chiefs.
Names that come to mind are Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro, who arrived at Chiefs while on top of their game but disappeared soon after.
Not taking anything away from players already in Nabi’s squad, Chiefs probably need another attacking midfielder and forward to back up Sirino, both when he is around or unavailable for matches.
Pyramids FC’s Congolese forward Fiston Mayele and Togo international Yawo Agbagno are some of the strikers currently being linked with Amakhosi.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs new signing Gaston Sirino.
Source: Kaizer Chiefs
