kaizer chiefs

Ramahlwe Mphahlele of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on the 09 February 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Gavin Hunt: Kaizer Chiefs need Ramahlwe Mphahlele back

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt is relishing the return from the injury of Ramahlwe Mphahlele who missed his side’s recent matches.

kaizer chiefs

Ramahlwe Mphahlele of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on the 09 February 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt is relishing the return from the injury of Ramahlwe Mphahlele, who missed Saturday’s 2-1 Soweto Derby loss to Orlando Pirates.

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Amakhosi looked thin in defence against their arch-rivals with Mphahlele and Erick Mathoho unavailable for selection on the day. Mathoho was given some time off to attend his father’s funeral in Venda.

Hunt admits Chiefs needed a player of Ramahlwe Mphahlele’s calibre and experience against Bucs, adding that he’s been impressed by the versatile defender’s contribution as a centre-back.

“We have missed Rama the last three or four games and I had brought him in there [at centre-back] to start and we needed that, Hunt told reporters.  

“I will do with what I see in front of me [in the next game]. I can’t really do too much. We’ve, obviously, got Reeve now back, which also gives you another situation.

“He [Mphahlele] has done well and we need him back,” he said.  

In Ramahlwe Mphahlele’s absence, Hunt used Anthony Akumu Agay and Siyabonga Ngenzana as his centre-back pairing with Daniel Cardoso playing as a defensive midfield in front of them.       

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And according to Hunt, the defence and midfield are the two areas of concern for the Glamour Boys technical team at this stage.        

“That is one area where we have to make decisions, but also in the centre of midfield. We need to get that more stable as well. The rest is what we got, but in that area we need to get better,” Hunt explained.

Up next for the Naturena-based outfit is Richards Bay FC in the Last 32 of the Nedbank Cup on Sunday afternoon and Hunt didn’t want to put his head on the block as to whether or not Mphahlele will be available for selection.  

“I don’t know if he will be fit for the next game, but those are the things we will have to see in the week as we go along,” concluded Hunt.