Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs’ superior threat from midfield is keeping the Naturena club ahead of their Premiership rivals at the moment.
Attacking midfielders Reneilwe Letsholonyane, George Maluleka, Mandla Masango and George Lebese have all found the back of the net this season for Amakhosi - all this while the strikers have not quite contributed with the goals.
Only three of the 20 goals scored by Amakhosi this season in all competitions have been scored by strikers. Kingston Nkhatha has scored twice and Katlego Mphela, who is out nursing an injury, banged in one goal in the MTN8 second leg semi-final against Platinum Stars.
Bernard Parker, last season’s top scorer in the league with 10 goals, is not fully fit having recently come back from an injury and pre-season signing Siphelele Mthembu has not yet found his feet.
Nkhatha is the main striker at the moment for Amakhosi and would love to contribute more goals for the club as they push to get more silverware after last weekend’s MTN8 triumph over Orlando Pirates.
“It’s not easy. We are working on it. I still want to score every game I play, but sometimes that does not happen. But I am not under pressure. You have to also open spaces for your teammates to score. I am happy that we are doing well as a team.”
The Zimbabwean has indeed played a key role in the team, running constantly and challenging for every ball that is whipped into opposition area.
And players such as Letsholonyane have benefited from Nkhatha’s presence upfront, the midfielder pouncing on some of the loose balls which defenders fail to clear due to the forward’s persistence.
“You need to contribute to the team’s success. It’s not about you scoring all the time, but you need to help create opportunities. We have a good coach (Stuart Baxter) who understands the players. If you are doing something for the team, then you will play
“I am happy with my contribution, but I need to work on scoring. As time goes on, goals will come.”
Weekend Argus