Kaizer Chiefs have played two Betway Premiership games so far, but it's believed coach Nasreddine Nabi has already made up his mind on the central defensive pairing for the team.
Siya sources close to the club have indicated that new signings Rushwin Dortley and Inacio Miguel are the preferred first-choice pairing by Nabi, as demonstrated successfully in Amakhosi's two victories in the PSL so far.
READ: Official: Two Chiefs Signings Make Bafana Squad
That means Given Msimango will have to fight harder to get into the starting line-up this season.
Insiders close to Chiefs have added that Msimang's place in the starting eleven is not guaranteed, while the likes of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Zitha Kwinika were penciled in for loan moves, as previously reported by Soccer Laduma.
Though, with many players remaining at the club in a big squad, it means Nabi has additional options and through a long season he will learn more about his players and things could change later for the likes of Msimango by being patient.
The insider close to the club discusses the situation Msimango finds himself in, particularly with his ambitions to represent the South Africa national team.
"It's tough on the other defenders now as the coach has made it clear that Rushwin (Dortley) and Inacio (Miguel) will be his preferred central defensive pairing. He is happy with what he has seen since the two started playing together. The two games played so far have just confirmed that," said the Siya source.
"After the Gallants game, it happened against AmaZulu where (Inacio) Miguel even won Man of the match. It will be difficult for Given (Msimango) who will be used mostly as a substitute for these two players. But you know, that is football and it's unfortunate that it comes at a time when the Bafana Bafana coach (Hugo Broos) was considering him for selection. He really has to work hard now if he really wants to reclaim that position in Chiefs' defence," the source added.
A second insider stated that due to the arrivals of Dortley and Miguel, Kwinika and Ditlhokwe are further down the order of preference for the starting line-up right now.
READ: Mngqithi: Why Williams Gave Shalulile The Armband
"The thing is the coach made it clear he wants a sizeable squad which he can easily control and keep happy by playing them regularly. So, with Dortley, Miguel and Msimango being the central defenders that he is looking at working with, then it's difficult to keep Kwinika and Ditlhokwe (happy) that's why the club is looking at loaning them out with other players as well," said the second source.
"He is looking at a squad of at least 25 players for the whole season as he says it easily manageable and every player then has the chance to play, taking into consideration injuries and suspensions," the second source added.
