Yusuf Maart’s red card means Kaizer Chiefs will have a new number 6 in the next three games. Image: @KaizerChiefs / Twitter
Three Chiefs options to replace Maart after red card
Football hurts. Kaizer Chiefs’ Yusuf Maart looked inconsolable after getting a red card in Durban last weekend. So who’ll replace him?
Yusuf Maart’s red card means Kaizer Chiefs will have a new number 6 in the next three games. Image: @KaizerChiefs / Twitter
Kaizer Chiefs‘ marquee signing Yusuf Maart suffered his first major heartbreak as a Glamour Boy, courtesy of a straight red card against Richards Bay at Moses Mabhida last weekend.
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KAIZER CHIEFS TO PLAY WITHOUT MAART
It was the 31st minute when Richard Bay’s Sanele Barnes raced free towards the Chiefs goal, Maart was the closest to react with an illegal nudge that sent Barnes flying to the grass.
The referee needed no added second to flash a shock red card.
Too harsh? Perhaps the challenge was not that aggressive but the red card decision was based on the fact that Maart denied a goal-scoring opportunity, as per FIFA rules.
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WHO WILL REPLACE MAART?
As the team’s best player so far this season, an all-action box-to-box number six, it will not be so simple for the team to continue playing as well as they have done with Maart on the grass.
But there are options and talent.
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Siyethemba Sithebe
It is common knowledge that Sithebe is not just a number 8 or 10. The Newcastle-born midfielder is well-versed in the number 6 role, although he has a different skillset to Maart.
We expect Sithebe to play in the 6 role in one or all three upcoming games as Maart serves suspension.
Cole Alexander
The second option for coach Arthur Zwane is Cole Alexander. The 33-year-old from Lentegeur, Cape Town, is simply a number 6 specialist. Zwane has actually played Cole alongside Maart as double 6s but it did not exactly workout.
The former Bidvest Wits star, who unfortunately does not enjoy favour from fans, will surely get a chance to prove his quality in the next three games.
Jeering him will not do the team any favours. The Amakhosi faithful might need to show a bit more maturity in the stadiums.
Phathutshedzo Nange
Similar to Cole, most Amakhosi fans have written off the Venda-born 30-year-old.
After serving suspension in the opening three games of the new season, Nange, an out-and-out number 6, though a lot more defensive, is set to get a chance to prove he deserves to play for Amakhosi.
The Glamour Boys will take on Cape Town City on Tuesday 23 August at 19:30.
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So, who should Znwae pick? Please let us know in the comments section below.
