Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane says it is his job to protect all his players including under-fire Siyabonga Ngezana from criticism.
Ngezana, 24, has had a tough few games after making two costly mistakes against Mamelodi Sundowns.
During Chiefs’ 2-0 defeat to Cape Town City, several fans in the stands at DHL Stadium asked for Ngezana to be substituted after he was marking Nathan Idumba Fasika, when he netted City’s second goal on Tuesday.
Zwane, though, insisted it is his job to shield the players from criticism and pointed toward Ngezana’s strengths.
“This is football and football is meant to help players to grow,” he said after the match when asked by iDiski Times how he will protect his defender.
Fast 5G home wifi delivered to you fast from rain.co.za, proud sponsor of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022.
“Football is a game of mistakes. And the only time you can protect any player not only Siya is by giving them the opportunity to play.
“His performance will obviously convince our supporters, as time goes on because we do have other players who are doing well.
“But you look at the way we want to play. You’ve got players that you want to win their one-vs-ones battles.
“So some of the players that we have, they’re very good, but not in winning those one-vs-one battles.
“So Siya is one of those defenders that can win his one-vs-one battles at the back, and Zita and Ngcobo, who’s been out for some time and at least now he is doing well as well, he’s been given the opportunity to play.
“So we’re actually looking for the tactical understanding in terms of the balance at the back and when we defend.
“So we’ll be changing, obviously. There will be games where we’ll play with three, there’ll be games where we’ll play with two central defenders, and the full-backs, on the right, and on the left.
“It depends on the game approach, but it’s one of those things where you’re looking for combinations, you want to get the combinations right, and then something happens.
“But it’s part of the game to complain, we can only learn and it also tests us as coaches, as to where we can improve and help the players to excel.”
Mabiliso Snapped Up By PSL Club
