Kaizer Chiefs suffered defeat in their first game official pre-season game against Yanga SC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania last night.
Both Chiefs and their hosts, Yanga played in front of a 60 000 capacity crowd in the Tanzanian capital, with the home team north disappointing.
Chiefs had announced prior to the game that they would be without four players, saying that Keagan Dolly, Ashley du Preez, Wandile Dube as well as new signing Ranga Chivaviro, who were all still nursing knocks. But there was still a an opportunity for the Amakhosi supporters to see their other six new signings as all of Thathayoane Ditlhokwe, Given Msimango, Mduduzi Mdantsane, Edson Castillo, Pule Mmodi and Tebogo Potsane.
Despite a few flashes of brilliance, Chiefs hardly produced anything to write home about, and it was in fact the hosts Yanga who had the better of the exchanges in the first half. It was then no surprise when they broke the deadlock with a delicate chip over captain Itumeleng Khune. That would also prove to be the winner in the end.
NO SHORTS ON TARGET ALL HALF
Perhaps the biggest worrying factor for Chiefs in the first half was not just the result, but the fact that they did not register a single shot on target and only had one shot throughout the whole half. That does not bode well for a team that had former coach Arthur Zwane lamenting the lack of finishing week in, out. It is too early to say they will have the same issues just yet, with the likes of Dolly, du Preez and Chivaviro still yet to play a part.
CHIEFS NEED TO SIGN ANOTHER STRIKER
The other factor is another one that Zwane was crying about last season, and that is they’re striking department. Zwane was constantly calling for a goal scoring striker with the likes of Caleb Bimenyimana and Christian Saile not proving to be the prolific acquisitions he was after. Now having just signed Chivaviro, on yesterday’s evidence it is clear that they need more than just him as a striker. Furthermore, they need another striker of similar attributes to him, a big focal point, who can hold the ball up but also run in behind the opposition defence and score goals.
Bimenyimana is already on his way out and Saile, for all his running and endeavour, does not look like he will be prolific for Chiefs. Since the signing of Chivaviro, however, it does not look like they’re being linked to any other strikers, which could prove to be a problem.
