Kaizer Chiefs didn’t just lose a captain when Yusuf Maart left Naturena, they lost a midfielder who thrived on driving forward, breaking lines, and influencing games higher up the pitch.
For years in the Betway Premiership, Maart operated as a classic number eight, linking defence to attack, pressing aggressively, and popping up in dangerous areas. It’s a role that suited his engine and instinct.
But in Austria, the script has flipped.
NEW ROLE AT SV RIED IN AUSTRIA
Now at SV Ried, the former Kaizer Chiefs skipper Maart is being used deeper as a number six, a position that demands positional discipline, tactical awareness, and less about bursting forward.
“Obviously in this team, they prefer me as a number six, they told me before I came, I will play as a number 6,” Maart said on the Soccer Beat podcast.
“In the end it was my decision. At the end of the day, I can play box to box. I have been playing box to box almost all my career, I can defend, I can play in the build up. It suits me. I help the defenders a lot, I can win the ball, and count. I am very comfortable playing as a six.”
“It’s easier in the six. You always have to be in the center, when the team counters, you are always on the center. It is easy, you just need to press on the side, in front of you or you just stay back,” the Atlantis-born star added.
KAIZER CHIEFS MIDFIELD TAKES NEW SHAPE
Amakhosi initially pushed to sign Feisal Salum to replace Maart, but the move slipped away when the Tanzanian star joined Azam FC instead.
That setback led Kaizer Chiefs to Siphesihle Ndlovu, who arrived from SuperSport United on a three-year deal. The former Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates midfielder has quietly made an impact.
In 20 appearances across all competitions, Ndlovu has contributed two goals and one assist, while his tidy use of the ball, averaging around an 86% pass completion rate.
Co-head coach Khalil Ben Youssef has praised his tactical maturity, particularly in helping stabilise the team’s shape.
He featured in the recent 1-1 Soweto Derby draw against Orlando Pirates but missed the following clash against Siwelele FC due to a minor injury.
DO YOU FEEL YUSUF MAART IS STILL MISSED AT KAIZER CHIEFS?
Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.