The recent lack of stability in the Kaizer Chiefs defence has raised a lot of questions.
The Steve Komphela-coached side has conceded four goals in three matches, three in their MTN8 clash against Maritzburg United and one in their semi-final encounter with Bloemfontein Celtic, while securing a 0-0 stalemate against Chippa United in their league opener.
Left-back Tsepo Masilela who was part of a solid back four last season, admits there is still a lot of work to be done at the club, with their recent showings not as good as they should be.
“We should improve in all departments, firstly in defence. I think we have conceded too many goals and obviously going forward we also need to score goals to win games.”
Adding to that, Masilela says their defensive errors have nothing to do with a different back four this season.
“I don’t think so; it is just that we have been unfortunate. Who knows? If they were still here maybe we would still concede?”
Amakhosi face Free State Stars in their second league fixture at the FNB Stadium this weekend and Masilela is wary of the team from Bloemfontein. “It is going to be tough, they are playing the champions. Obviously, everyone that plays the champions wants to win. But we are playing at home, we are confident that we are going to get a win.”
The left back is also hoping for a big a crowd, something he believes helps Chiefs perform at their level best.
“It is nice playing in front of a packed stadium. What can I say? When we play away the support has been great, and hopefully the numbers will increase in our home games.
“To be honest, it is a big stadium (FNB), but Kaizer Chiefs is also a big team.
“I don’t know how to put it. We always find it full to capacity when we play the Derby, or when we play Sundowns. But when we play the other games, the numbers are not that good. Hopefully we’ll get more people coming to the stadium and we (the team) should be getting good results to pull in the crowd”.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula yesterday shot down calls for an inquiry into allegations that South African officials paid $10 million (about R129m) bribe to secure the rights to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Mbalula said the allegations were being pursued through diplomatic channels with the US.
An indictment by the US justice department refers to two South Africans – co-conspirator No15 who is alleged to have paid off a relative of former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, and co-conspirator No16 who arranged the payment of the US$10 million to Warner and others to secure the rights to host the World Cup.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing points to anybody having committed any crimes in this particular matter,” Mbalula said. – additional reporting by ANA