After failing to score many goals last season, many football pundits felt Kaizer Chiefs would prioritise the signing of new strikers.
However, so far, most of their signings have been at the back with defenders Inacio Miguel, Bradley Cross, Rushwin Dortley, and Bongani Sam, plus goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
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No striker has been brought in, though former Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Gaston Sirino can play in the forward line.
Despite not signing a striker, insiders at the club have indicated that after analyzing the team, coach Nasreddine Nabi wanted to have a stronger defence to help the team win trophies by avoiding conceding simple goals like they did last season.
The sources added that Amakhosi really want to add at least one striker, which they have been trying their best to sign so far.
"No, there is nothing wrong that the team is doing in signing more defenders than attackers or strikers. The thing is, the coach had access to the team games from last season and analysed them and saw the need to strengthen the defence to curb conceding simple goals," said the Siya source who is close to the team.
"He believes that avoiding to concede simple goals will lead to winning games because he said it doesn't help to score two and concede four. So, defending was a priority at the start of his work at Chiefs. But they also agreed that at least one striker and a winger could be important as well but it's not that they are fixing the wrong thing. Fixing defence is where everything starts for him and that's what he wanted," the insider added.
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A second Siya source stated that the Chiefs technical team, together with management, agreed that with the current strikers in the squad, if they can just add one good striker, then the team will be well-balanced going forward.
"They agreed that the strikers win you games but defenders win you titles and that's what they have been working on. That's why they are looking at loaning out players from defence and attack, then keep the ones who will be able to win them not only games but also titles," said the second source.
"So there is nothing wrong in signing defenders the way the team has. And look at the injuries as well in defence. Two are already out at this time so it has been a blessing in disguise for the team," the second source added.
So, Chiefs' focus on strengthening their defence is a strategic move by coach Nabi to build a solid foundation for the team. While the search for a striker continues, the emphasis on a strong defence is seen as crucial for winning titles and improving overall team performance from the back.
