Deeper Problems at Kaizer Chiefs Than Just Failing to Score

At the beginning of the season, Amakhosi won four of their opening five matches and everything looked promising — even rosy. However, the wheels came off after the 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United, which was followed by the international break. Since then, Chiefs have gone on a winless run of four consecutive matches, drawing the last three against Marumo Gallants, AmaZulu, and Siwelele.

While the lack of goals — with the team failing to score more than one per game — remains a concern, there are bigger underlying issues suggesting all is not well in the dressing room.

Who’s the Captain?

At the start of the season, Inácio Miguel was announced as captain by coach Nabi during pre-season. Yet, when the league campaign kicked off, Zitha Kwinika was suddenly wearing the armband without any explanation.

Miguel later claimed he handed the armband to Kwinika out of respect — but the confusion didn’t end there. In the recent match against Siwelele, both Miguel and Kwinika were on the pitch, yet the captain’s armband was with Brandon Petersen.

Again, no explanation was given until coach Cedric Kaze briefly addressed it after the match. This constant swapping of captains reflects a lack of leadership within the team.

It’s no surprise, then, that some players have started showing frustration — with one refusing to be subbed and others throwing tantrums when taken off.

The Tashreeq Morris Situation

Tashreeq Morris has not featured on the bench in any league game this season. His only appearance in a matchday squad came during the Carling Knockout clash against Stellenbosch, where he was brought on in the dying minutes of extra time. His only touch was the penalty he missed — a decision that raised eyebrows given his lack of game time and confidence. Since that moment, Morris has not made a matchday squad again.

The Ntwari Incident

Rwandan international Fiacre Ntwari has mostly played second fiddle to Petersen this season. He finally got his chance in the Carling Knockout match against Stellenbosch, where he kept a clean sheet and saved a penalty. However, controversy followed when he refused to be substituted for Bruce Bvuma. Since then, Ntwari has been completely left out of the matchday squad.

The Du Preez Dilemma

Ashley Du Preez continues to blow hot and cold since his move from Stellenbosch a few seasons ago. While his pace remains a threat, his finishing — and injuries — have been major setbacks. After missing a clear chance in Lubumbashi, Du Preez was dropped for the midweek encounter against Siwelele. At this point, it seems that one mistake is enough to see a player completely dropped from the lineup.

Losing the Dressing Room?

The co-coaches, Cedric Kaze and Khalil, appear to be slowly losing control of the dressing room. The high number of injuries — particularly among new signings — has only added to the crisis and must be urgently addressed. Kaizer Chiefs’ next fixture is a crucial CAF Confederation Cup tie against AS Simba on Sunday. A win will see Amakhosi advance to the group stages, but a defeat would knock them out of their second cup competition this season — leaving only the Nedbank Cup. An early exit could see the fans calling for the coaches’ heads, making this a must-win encounter for Kaze and Khalil.