Is this what Kaizer Chiefs have been missing? ‘It has allowed Mduduzi Shabalala to be free’

The decision to strengthen the midfield department with experienced players has helped Kaizer Chiefs to be solid and ensure creative players help more in the final third, according to the club’s legend Jabu Mahlangu.

Thabo Cele, Lebohang Maboe, and Siphesihle Ndlovu were brought into the club in the last two years. However, the last two have seemingly formed an understanding that has kept Cele and Sibongiseni Mthethwa on the bench.

Despite their initial injury problems, the duo is now fit and has played a massive role in helping the Glamour Boys go six games without tasting defeat, winning five in the process.

Mahlangu argues that the presence of the two players has provided Mduduzi Shabalala with needed freedom to give his best especially in attack.

Maboe and Ndlovu have stabilised Kaizer Chiefs

“Maboe and Ndlovu have stabilised Kaizer Chiefs’ midfield,” former Amakhosi superstar Jabu Mahlangu told the Diski Shandis podcast.

“This has allowed Mduduzi Shabalala to be free in that number 10 role, uvukile [he has started to shine] because of that stability in the centre. “Both Maboe and Ndlovu have quality on the ball, and they combine well. They complement each other. When Maboe goes forward, Ndlovu drops. They are both box-to-box players. When Ndlovu pushes up, Maboe covers as the sweeper.

I believe Kaizer Chiefs have finally found that combination. The team was struggling so much in the middle. They tried Thabo Cele and Sibongiseni Mthethwa, but it didn’t work. They also tried Mthethwa and Mshini [Nkosingiphile Ngcobo], as well as Maboe and Ngcobo; none of those combinations worked. They experimented with a lot of different personnel in central midfield.

“I feel that now, with Maboe and Ndlovu, the team has become stronger in the last few games. They have really stabilised that midfield. Both players bring experience as well,” Mahlangu concluded.