The off-season signings made by Kaizer Chiefs has left Happy Mashiane in a worse situation than he has ever been for all his years at the club.
As a left footer, Mashiane primarily plays on the left flank – from left-back to left midfield or out wide depending on the system used.
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At left-back, he now has Paseka Mako, Nkanyiso Shinga, and Bradley Cross all standing in front of him.
Mako has moved to the front of the queue in recent days taking over from Cross while Shinga is waiting for his turn.
The two choices likely to have the most minutes are Mako and Shinga.
With Cross he will have to fight for a place in central defence where he will find Rushwin Dortley and Aden McCarthy are all left-footed central defenders.
Based on the formation used by Nasreddine Nabi which always has two central midfielders in front of the back four plus three attackers supporting the top man it leaves Mashiane with limitations further up the pitch.
For the position out wide on the left for the three attacking midfielders position, Chiefs have inverted options in Glody Makabi, Pule Mmodi and Gaston Sirino plus Asanele Velebayi.
With his game not based on urgency, Mashiane’s chances of playing up the pitch become slimmer than ever.
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The 27-year-old played only nine games last season, and none were from start to finish.
While he hasn’t firmly established himself as a regular – except for the 2020/21 season – since getting his break under Ernst Middendorp he has added value in the squad as a left-footed option.
He was handed a contract extension this year.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
