Kaizer Chiefs legend Tsepo Masilela has raised concerns about the club’s midfield selection ahead of the highly anticipated Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.
The former left-back questioned the effectiveness of the current midfield pairing of Lebohang Maboe and Thabo Cele, following Chiefs’ goalless draw against Polokwane City on Saturday.
With Amakhosi set to face Pirates for the second time this season on Sunday, Masilela believes changes are needed in the middle of the park. He suggested that Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Siphesihle Ndlovu could provide better balance and stability.
Chiefs and Pirates to meet again
“For the Pirates game, they are going to struggle if they go with the same midfield,” Masilela said. “I think Thabo is a little off the pace. In terms of match fitness, he’s not quite there yet. Maybe they should go back to Ndlovu and Mthethwa because there are too many gaps and spaces,” he told Soccerbeat.
Masilela warned that sticking with the same combination could leave Chiefs exposed against Pirates’ attacking threat.
“It’s not like Chiefs have a disciplined structure where their wingers know how to close the midfield. I don’t see them coping with that Pirates attack. I’m tempted to bring in Mthethwa, even though he has been in and out of the team,” he added.
Chiefs suffered a 3-0 defeat to Pirates in their previous meeting in February. However, with nearly two months having passed, Amakhosi appear to be a different side and will be eager to disrupt the Buccaneers’ Betway Premiership title ambitions.