A lot has been said about Kaizer Chiefs and their coach, Steve Komphela, while the club hasn't enjoyed much success for the past couple of months.
Just recently we saw the team dumped out of the MTN8 cup by new boys, Cape Town City. As if that wasn't enough, the Phefeni Glamour Boys only managed only a single point out of a possible six in the league. The side has also dropped further down the CAF club rankings and many Amakhosi fans have called for Komphela's immediate resignation, but some back him to succeed. His fans believe the management is to blame, and also that the players at Bra Steve's disposal are disposable in their own right.
But through all these hard times, Komphela has been forced to do without Siphiwe Tshabalala, amongst others, this season. Shabba has been injured for some time, and his position hasn't been adequately filled. The team currently lacks passion and hunger, and a will to win. As a senior player, a club veteran, Tshabalala's absence must be felt at Naturena.
Chiefs haven't had that one player who'd carry the whole team on his shoulders and toy with the opposition. The team needs someone to boost their morale and take them out of hibernation.
Chiefs currently have low morale, lack confidence and appear scared to go all out during play. Shabba is one of those influential players, together with Itumeleng Khune and Erick Mathoho, who carries the hopes of the Khosination. The midfielder has just returned from injury, and could really come in handy for the ailing Soweto Giants.
Could Chiefs tough period be as a result of Tshabalala's absence? Could they be missing him out there in the field of play? Could his return to action bring Amakhosi back to their best?
*This article was written by a Soccer Laduma reader and reflects their opinion, not that of Soccer Laduma.
