Kaizer Chiefs’ double signings of left-backs for the new season has maintained what has become a routine at the club in that position.
Chiefs have had Nkanyiso Shinga coming in from Portuguese club FC Alverca, while Paseka Mako switched from rivals Orlando Pirates.
That’s an addition of two left backs at the Naturena-based club, where they already have Bradley Cross and Happy Mashiane, both capable of putting in a shift in that position.
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Amakhosi have offloaded Edmilson Dove and Bongani Sam, while Thatayaone Ditlhokwe was sold to Libyan club Al Ittihad in February.
The proof of the signings overload at left-back is proven by how many players the club has signed in that position over the last dozen years.
From Dove to Cross, Ditlhokwe, and Sam, there has also been Sibusiso Mabiliso, Sifiso Hlanti, Godfrey Walusimbi, Letlhogonolo Mirwa, Philani Zulu, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Sibusiso Khumalo, Simphiwe Mtsweni, Levy Mokgothu, and Keegan Ritchie.
Dove’s grit was never questionable, Hlanti had relative success, but for the rest, it either didn’t work out best at or they just turned into outright disastrous signings, which explains why they were then released.
Tsepo Masilela was the last genuine success story at left-back having spent six years at Chiefs before he left.
So, with Shinga and Mako coming, there will be hope the Soweto giants have found a solution to last longer than four years.
Shinga is the younger of the two and is expected to get the nod ahead of Mako having shown glimpses of quality during the club’s pre-season in Holland.
He has come in having played all his professional football in Portugal, starting in the Vitoria Setubal FC development teams, Under-19, then CD Pinhalnovense, Juventude Evora SC, CF Estrela Amadora, SC Covilha, and FC Alverca.
The details relating to Nkanyiso Shinga’s transfer from Portuguese club FC Alverca to Kaizer Chiefs have been revealed by his handlers.
His representative – Zuneid Sidat – has told this website that he hopes Shinga’s time provides him with a path to Bafana Bafana.
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"We went to Chiefs because we want him to play football and get into the national team.
"It will be easier for him to get into the national team when he is at Chiefs, and that is our plan.
"That is the right path to get into the national team," Sidat told KickOff.com a fortnight ago.
Mako has come in with fitness questions and having spent seven years at Pirates has all the experience needed to cope with the demands which will come at Chiefs.
Photo: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
