With Kaizer Chiefs not showing signs of improvement under Nasreddine Nabi, Soccer Laduma highlights five issues of concern.
Scoring rate
Chiefs struggled in front of goals last season, scoring on average 0.8 goal per game in the league, after they ended with 25 goals in 30 matches last season. However, Amakhosi not bolstering their attack has come was a big shock and a decision they will regret, as they have improved only slightly, still average one goal per game, having scored 22 goals in 22 league matches.
READ: Amakhosi Numbers Show Nabi Is Feeling The Heat
Leaky defence
Chiefs' defence was not the best but not really the worst last season, considering that they finished tenth, as they conceded one goal per game, having let in 30 goals in 30 league matches. However, Amakhosi prioritized new signings in defence, the likes of Inacio Miguel, Rushwin Dortley and Bradley Cross. The Soweto giants could end up with a worse defensive record than last season, as they have already conceded 26 goals in 22 league games.
No consistent wins
All coaches are judged on results and not winning matches in a row should be a big concern for Chiefs, assessing Nabi's future at the club. Amakhosi under the Tunisian mentor are yet to win at least three games in a row in the league, which under normal circumstances would be a red-flag for any coach at the Naturena-based side.
READ: Chiefs In A Better Position To Sign Basadien?
No playmaker
A team of Chiefs' calibre normally ticks and performs consistently when there's a playmaker. The Glamour Boys have played all season without a number ten capable of eliminating players and making those defence splitting passes. Amakhosi did not address this issue in the previous two transfer windows, with only Gaston Sirino coming close to that type of a player - but was mainly used on the left wing.
Wing play
Nabi seems to prefer a system, where wingers stretch the pitch and deliver crosses. The signing of Makabi Lilepo, who is more of a winger points to this. However, Chiefs have become predictable trying to penetrate from the wings. The Tunisian coach has always insisted that he wants Amakhosi to play an attractive brand of football but in South Africa wing play for a big a club is seen as too direct and not appealing.
