Where Kaizer Chiefs are beaten by Pirates & Sundowns – Is it too late to make amends?

Kaizer Chiefs are expected to continue their push for the 2026/27 Premier Soccer League title amid stiff competition from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Glamour Boys finished third last season for the first time in six years, under co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef. The duo took over on an interim basis after the shocking exit of Nasreddine Nabi, who had helped the Soweto giants win the Nedbank Cup for the first time in a decade.

Interestingly, Amakhosi haven’t brought in established players in key departments like midfield and attack, where they struggled. In contrast, they have signed free-agent goalkeeper Renald Leaner and defender Thabo Moloisane.

Gaston Sirino has already left, a blow to the creative department, and reports are rife that Glody Lilepo is on his way out, alongside Thabo Cele. But according to ex-Chiefs attacker Kenny Niemach, that is not the main problem at the Naturena Village.

Where are Chiefs getting it wrong?

“Chiefs have always had a player with an X-factor like Doctor Khumalo. Now, who is the X-factor? It’s difficult to point out,” Niemach said as quoted by FARPost.

“I would also give an example of Roger Feutmba, who was a big personality at Sundowns, where I played with him. He was someone whom the whole team looked up to and relied upon. That kind of player is needed at Chiefs.

“Chiefs need leadership. The coach needs to identify players who can carry the team. I think they lack leadership and an X-factor player, as I said. 

“Someone who is willing to take responsibility, to say guys lets come together, but I’m willing to take everything that comes our way. Now, that’s responsibility. They need someone to be the team’s driving force. This is what’s lacking at Chiefs,” he added.

Da Cruz’s massive assignment

“As you know, they have a new coach. Now, what happens is that the coach reviews past performances, sees weaknesses and tries to rectify them. He looked at the defence and said I need a new central defender,” he continued. 

“He then looked at the goalkeeping department and said I need a goalkeeper. Maybe that explains his signings so far. The coach now needs to play lots of games to identify areas where he needs to fix.

“Chiefs need to play in the [CAF] Champions League and be up there with Sundowns and Pirates. There is a lot of work the coach needs to do. Let us not judge him as yet. Let us see his influence on the team. Every coach has a way he wants to play.

“I think they need a winger and maybe an attacking midfielder. Chiefs are a team that is known to play the ball, short passes, controls the game; they are a possession team. You must have technically gifted players if you want to dictate the tempo and truly control the game,” Niemach concluded.