Kaizer Chiefs could be heading into the new season with familiar left-back issues, despite making two signings in that position during the off-season.
Chiefs have been struggling to stamp their authority with a consistent left-back, with Bradley Cross - signed prior to last campaign – failing to make the position, which was up for grabs, his own.
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The likes of Edmilson Dove could also not succeed at left-back during a season in which the side finished outside the Top Eight, chopping and changing players in that position.
They have since announced the signing of Paseka Mako, who joins from old foes Orlando Pirates, but he has not featured in their pre-season friendlies in the Netherlands due to an injury he was signed carrying.
Another new recruit, Nkanyiso Shinga, is expected to compete for the position.
However, former Amakhosi left-back Tsepo Masilela, perhaps the last player to excel in that position at the Soweto giants, has stood up to raise question marks.
"To be honest, when I look at Shinga, interesting player, but defensively there's been question marks, in my opinion. Even the second goal (conceded against Twente), there's couple of times (even) in the previous games, he got beaten in one-v-one situations," Masilela observed, speaking on SoccerBeat YouTube Channel.
"Your primary job as a defender is to win those duels, to be on top of the winger – that's how you gain confidence. Listen, he's comfortable on the ball, that we can't argue.
"But again, him inverting most of the time, I found it that it was dragging (Makabi) Lilepo to receive the ball too deep, more like a left-back. I couldn't understand what's the idea of him inverting that much.
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“But those are things they've worked on the training ground, maybe as time goes on we'll see what's the idea. He's comfortable on the ball, but in the attack I can't say he's the Marcelo. I'm yet to be sold," he suggested.
Amakhosi have also been experimenting with Reeve Frosler, who started in three out of their five pre-season friendlies, at left-back.
Image: Kaizer Chiefs
