Kaizer Chiefs have struggled to maintain clean sheets under new coach Nasreddine Nabi, despite changes in their goalkeeping and defensive departments.
Former Amakhosi defender Thomas Sweswe believes that keeping clean sheets is not solely the goalkeeper's responsibility but starts with the defence.
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Talking exclusively to KickOff, Sweswe emphasized that a strong defensive performance is key to securing victories and collecting crucial points.
"Yes, I understand we say attack as a team and defend as a team but strikers win you games and defenders win you titles. So if the defenders can work on keeping as many clean sheets as they can, then it will help the team win more games and fight for the title. Chiefs have good defenders. They just have to improve on working as a team and keeping more clean sheets," the Zimbabwean-born former defender said.
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Sweswe pointed out that the defence plays a critical role in supporting the goalkeeper.
"The goalkeeper is the last line of defence. But if those in front of him are not helping him it's very difficult for him to keep those clean sheets. They have to work together and the most important thing to achieve, is communication.
"This was Itumeleng Khune biggest strength. He was very good at communicating with his defenders and the defenders the same. If they can do that, the work for every other player becomes easy, knowing that they are safe at the back," Sweswe added.