Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has heaped praise on the stability provided by three of the club's more experienced players.
Amakhosi raised eyebrows when they released the majority of the club's more experienced players at the end of last season. A mass exodus saw over 10 players head for the exit door.
The list includes Samir Nurkovic, Lebohang Manyama and Bernard Parker among others.
After an erratic start to the season, Chiefs found their rhythm and have not tasted defeat in their last three matches.
This coincided with the increased playing-time of three experienced players in the team.
Sifso Hlanti, who had been injured since November last year, Itumeleng Khune who only made his first start against Stellenbosch and Edmilson Dove who was roped in during the transfer window. Head coach Arthur Zwane believes the experienced trio has been the difference.
"You always need players of experience to help the younger ones, and also help the new players in the set-up settle in quickly, because we are trying to play with an identity and we need those leaders," Zwane.
"Having Khune and finding the right balance with Dove now has made a big difference. Having a natural left-footed player (Dove) in that position makes our passing channels in that area clearer and improves our tactical understanding," he added.
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During Hlanti's injury, the Chiefs had often relied on the Right footed Reeve Frosler in the left-back position. Hlanti has brought some stability back into the team, according to Zwane.
"It [left-back position] was much better compared to other games when we were playing a right-footed player on the left and became predictable when we were building up from the back and opponents could easily plan against us," said Zwane.
Chiefs will be in action this Sunday when they take on Royal AM in the Macufe Cup to be played in Bloemfontein.
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