Elias Mokwana: How Chiefs will line up with new signing

Kaizer Chiefs made a huge addition to their squad following the confirmation that Elias Mokwana has joined the club.

The Bafana Bafana winger has signed as a free agent and will bolster the attack for coach Fernando da Cruz, adding experience to a side that is full of young players.

His arrival will see a shift in how Da Cruz fields his team and there are going to be casualties as he will have to replace some players.

Kaizer Chiefs new signing Elias Mokwana. Image – Kaizer Chiefs

With his experience in the Premier Soccer League, in Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and in the CAF Champions League, the former Sekhukhune United star will also act as a leader in a dressing that is crying out for such figures.

Multiple right wing options at Naturena

Mokwana is now the third natural right winger at Chiefs alongside Asanele Velebayi and Faiz Abrahams while there are midfielders who can also play there such as Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala added to left wingers Pule Mmodi and Langelihle Phili, who can switch wings.

Bruce Bvuma, Wandile Duba and Mfundo Vilakazi of Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

So far this season, Da Cruz has used Vilakazi more on the right wing with Abrahams also playing there although the new signing has been given limited opportunities as he gets used to life at Naturena.

Vilakazi has played six of his 10 games so far on the right wing, Abrahams starting one of his five games so far, while Velebayi has also started one of his five matches.

Why Mokwana will not walk straight in

With Mokwana’s arrival, Vilakazi will likely move back to attacking midfield with the 27-year-old taking over at right wing while youngsters Abrahams and Velabayi will be his understudies.

Kaizer Chiefs new signing Elias Mokwana and Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

However, having not played competitive football for over three months, Mokwana will not walk straight into the team as he will first be handed bit-part roles as he gets his fitness levels up until he is ready to play regularly.

That is likely to be in the new year and by then, Chiefs will have all their big hitters back. Phili would have returned from his injury and so is striker Flavio da Silva.

How will Chiefs lineup with new signing?

When that happens, the Chiefs starting XI will consist of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, right-back Thabiso Monyane, Bradley Cross at left-back while Rushiwn Dortley and Thabo Moloisane will partner at centre-back.

Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr with Elias Mokwana after his signing. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

In central midfield, the evergreen Lebohang Maboe will partner Sibongiseni Mthethwa while the No.10 role will see Shabalala alternate with Vilakazi.

Upfront, Mokwana will be on the right wing with Phili on the left as Da silva leads the line.

With no distraction of continental football, Chiefs will have an opportunity to put together a good run of results that can help them secure another third-place finish and a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.