Kaizer Chiefs boss Arthur Zwane looking cool in the heat. Image: @kaizerchiefs / Twitter

Kaizer Chiefs: Time to give up on this midfielder?

Kaizer Chiefs are dedicated to giving young players a chance. That could be bad news for one central midfielder at Naturena.

by James Freemantle

17-04-2023 09:20

in Premier Soccer League

Kaizer Chiefs boss Arthur Zwane looking cool in the heat. Image: @kaizerchiefs / Twitter

Kaizer Chiefs have battled to dominate matches in the centre of the park and that’s down to not having a perfectly balanced midfield duo. Naturena is set for a big shake-up.

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Top midfielder next priority in Kaizer Chiefs rebuild

Siyethemba Sithebe has flattered to deceive alongside Yusuf Maart for the Glamour Boys. At a stage in the season he was preferred for his experience and know-how, but the consensus among Amakhso fans is that he lacks the X-Factor required. Arthur Zwane can upgrade in this area. Sithebe did start the Nedbank Cup semifinal win over Royal AM, but that was alongside Samkelo Zwane, rather than instead of him. 21-year-old Zwane will be the best deeper-lying option going forward in a midfield duo. At 30, Sithebe is a decent solution in the present but not one for the future.

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Samkelo Zwane is the future of the Kaizer Chiefs midfield

Zwane is coming through the ranks as a highly-promising ‘6’ in the deep-lying role, but Chiefs still need another talented technician to knit things all together and recycle the ball a bit quicker over shorter distances. That’s where Ibraheem Jabaar comes into the equation. Not only is the Nigerian an excellent ball-winner, but he’s got those technical skills over shorter distances to eventually complement Samkelo Zwane. In a few years, these guys could potentially the best midfield duo in the PSL.

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However, this is all still very much in the hypothetical stage. What seems obvious, however, is that Siyethemba Sithebe’s time at the club could soon be drawing to a close. Amakhosi’s rebuild resolves around longer-term plans. Naturena is going to look quite different next season.