The calibre and quantity of the staff at Arthur Zwane’s disposal are largely satisfactory, and he has stated that Kaizer Chiefs will explore making fresh hires in January.
After weathering a seven-year trophy drought last season, Chiefs elected to hit the restart button, selecting club great Zwane as the new coach.
Chiefs broke the bank to sign ten new players, including teenager Mduduzi Shabalala, who was promoted from the reserves, in support of Zwane’s promotion.
Yusuf Maart and Edmilson Dove are among the newcomers, but established players like captains Bernard Parker and Ramahlwe Mphahlele have been let go.
The Chiefs have had a sluggish start to the semester amidst the new arrivals and release of seniors; they are in the bottom part of the table with seven points.
Their supporters’ reactions to that beginning have been all over the map; while some recognise the need for rebuilding, others want Zwane to be fired.
However, “10111” has urged restraint, imploring their supporters to support the team and its present lineup as they experiment with different lineup combinations.
After their Saturday night home 0-0 draw with AmaZulu, Zwane informed the reporters, “When you are looking for combinations, you avoid panic (purchasing).”
“You risk making the wrong choice if you add players while experimenting with combinations. Therefore, we must use the players we have at this time to do it correctly.
In terms of the January timeframe, three months are right around the corner. That will allow us the opportunity to determine where we need to strengthen.
“However, I believe we have enough cover in all positions right now. In one position, we have two or three guys. And I believe that will be beneficial moving ahead.
At FNB, the Chiefs may have given their best performance against Usuthu. However, they disappointed with their wasteful play in front of goal, which included missing a penalty.
After that draw, Zwane kept his head high, praising his team for their efforts while also admitting there was room for improvement.
“The decision-making (component) in training requires a lot of work. It will turn out correctly… The boys, though, are reacting well, according to Zwane.
On Sunday, the Chiefs will play when they travel to Royal Bafokeng to take on the contentious Marumo Gallants, whose coach, Romain Folz, is rumoured to have left.
Before playing AmaZulu again in the MTN8 semifinal, they will know going into the game that they need to improve their finishing.
The front hasn’t seen Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat at their best. However, they’ll be hoping that new striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana will get them going once more.
The coach from the Meadowlands said, “Players will always use their own judgement, and we’ll always let them to since the game is a lesson.”
“Today, we had the opportunity to capitalise and make better decisions. But even at those instances, we weren’t all that clinical.
“However, the only things we can learn from this game are the possibilities we made. But with time, we’ll improve. Yusuf also made a comeback for the game today.