Despite taking the lead against the Buccaneers at FNB Stadium when they met last month, Amakhosi went on to lose the game 2-1 after they were let down by some poor defending. Central defensive pair Siyabonga Ngezana and Mario Booysen were at sixes and sevens that afternoon and both were booked for late tackles just outside the box.
When they meet again on Saturday – this time in a Telkom Knockout semi-final tie at Moses Mabhida Stadium - Kubheka says Amakhosi will have to communicate better at the back and minimise errors.
“Chiefs need to be solid and they need to communicate effectively. The defenders need to be closer to midfielders. There’s a huge gap between the two departments. When you look at them they were far apart and they needed to be disciplined in terms of understanding their zones. I don’t think the fullbacks, they were not disciplined in making sure they helped out in defence because they were overlapping too much. In most cases when Pirates hit Chiefs with counter attacks, Chiefs were stretched. I would really love to see them improving those aspects of their game.”
Kubheka says Willard Katsande will have a key role to play in the middle of the park for Amakhosi.
“If Katsande can master that second ball and win those balls in the middle of the park, then that will be good for Chiefs. He needs to marshal the midfield. He is a good player, but sometimes I feel he wants to do too much and be everywhere. I trust that they can do a better job.”