With 42 points and 37 league goals setting Kaizer Chiefs apart from the chasing pack, a seven-point gap over defending league champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, four players have been at the forefront of Chiefs’ winning ways.
Forming a physical and aerially dominant outfit, head coach Ernst Middendorp has led the emergence of Amakhosi’s four-man driving force.
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With all four standing well above 1,80m in height, it’s little surprise that of their 37 goals, 15 have come via headers while a further 20 goals have come via set-pieces, throw-ins and penalties included.
Check out the immense contribution of Chiefs’ driving force:
Samir Nurkovic - 1,87m
Goals - 10 (5 headers)
The Serbian scored a crucial brace as the log leaders defeated title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 earlier this season.
Leonardo Castro - 1,83m
Goals - 7 (4 headers)
The Colombian scored the second of three goals that saw Amakhosi secure a 3-2 victory in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.
Daniel Cardoso - 1,84m
Goals - 4 (1 header)
Cardoso’s first goal of the season came against a stubborn Cape Town City side at Newlands Stadium earlier this season, as the Glamour Boys eventually came out 2-1 winners in the Mother City.
Eric Mathoho - 1,98m
Goals - 4 (2 headers)
Mathoho scored the winner in the second match of the season against Black Leopards at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, as the Soweto giants claimed all three points in hard-fought 1-0 victory.
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The Amakhosi quartet have scored 25 of 37 goals. That’s a staggering 68% of Chiefs’ goals so far this campaign!
Based on the team’s form, the four players’ fitness and availability will be crucial to their league title drive.
Would the likes of Yagan Sasman and out-of-favour Ramahlwe Mphahlele adequately fill in at centre-back, and upfront would super-sub, Dumisani Zuma, and Lazarous Kambole take on the responsibility in front of goal, should any of the abovementioned players be unavailable?
Do you think that Kaizer Chiefs’ squad depth is strong enough to carry the black and gold to their first league title in five years?