A legendary Kaizer Chiefs defender has given his opinion on whether this season is a make or break for Given Msimango.
Msimango joined Amakhosi from TS Galaxy on a four-year contract which is set to expire in June 2027. He runs the risk of not seeing out his contract if things don't improve for him at the club in terms of game time and form.
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Competition in defence has been tough for the lanky defender, and his cause was not helped by the fact that he picked up an injury, which kept him out of pre-season preparations. Now competition will be even harder with Aden McCarthy emerging as a strong candidate to start regularly and Rushwin Dortley getting closer to making a return from injury.
Tefu Mashamaite, who had a bit of a slow start at Chiefs before going to become one of the club's finest defenders in the PSL era, feels this is the campaign where Msimango should stand out.
"Every season at Chiefs is a make or break. There is no time where we say you are still getting used to the environment and then after two years it's make or break. From the first time you step into Naturena, it's make or break," Mashamaite told Soccer Laduma.
"I feel like every year has been a make or break. He has to stand and put his hand up and give the Chiefs faithful what they expect from him.
Mashamaite, though, feels that there is still some hope for Msimango, despite the tough competition he faces. Msimango has previously displayed his quality as a player at Galaxy and Highlands Park and Mashamaite feels he just needs to take charge when he gets an opportunity.
"Personally, I like Given Msimango. I started following him when he was still at Highlands Park and then he played for TS Galaxy and had a great time there. I felt it was naturally the right time to move to one of the big clubs and fortunately, he landed at Chiefs. His time so far has been lukewarm. There isn't an exceptional phase or games where you can stand out.
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"There were some games he showed that he is Chiefs material and I strongly believe he is still Chiefs material, but sometimes you can be a quality player and circumstances, with what Chiefs has been going through. Then you come into that environment and you don't really get to shine. I think that has been one of his biggest disadvantages, but I still believe he has what it takes to be a great player. He is Bafana Bafana material, he is captain material, but he has to come out now and show those leadership qualities. He needs to take charge of things and win games for Chiefs, whether it's defensively or offensively," Mashamaite concluded.
