The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya
Kaizer Chiefs finally have their Njabulo Blom replacement – Reports
It’s been a long time coming, but Kaizer Chiefs might just have found a midfielder who can replace the attributes of departed Njabulo Blom.
The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya
Kaizer Chiefs have struggled to fill the void left by St. Louis City midfield dynamo Njabulo Blom.
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Blom hasn’t been replaced, yet
Njabulo Blom’s unique skill-set and midfield attributes have been impossible to replace for the Glamour Boys up until now. His tidy, compact ball-winning capabilities, coupled with his ability to pick crisp short passes and make himself available for a give-and-go in various phases of play. Blom has been superb for St. Louis City, becoming an ever-present for the current leaders of the MLS Western Conference.
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None of the Kaizer Chiefs midfield players are complete
Yusuf Maart is an attacking midfielder being deployed in deeper areas, while Siyethemba Sithebe is a a bit of a mixture but he is neither a specialist 8 nor a specialist 6. Samkelo Zwane has the passing range and technical ability to be a deep-lying 6, but he still lacks the defensive instincts of a pivot player in that role. That will come with time.
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Cele the new Blom?
26-year-old KwaMashu-born star Thabo Cele impressed in the engine room on recent COSAFA Cup squad duty with Bafana. He’s a natural, specialist holding midfielder but has box-to-box capabilities which make him a valuable asset. Amakhosi supporters around the country have been crying out for a commanding, authoritative midfield general and this could be the man, and today’s reports indicate the Glamour Boys could wrap up a move for Cele this week.
Cele made 20 appearances for Radomiak last season and has earned 7 Bafana Bafana caps. He was handed his international debut by Stuart Baxter in 2017. Prior to signing for Radomiak in 2021, Cele spent five years playing his football in Portugal at various levels.
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Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game of football.
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