If Mo Flava was given a cheque book to sign players for Kaizer Chiefs, Junior Mendieta would be on the list, but who else does he think Amakhosi should sign? Soccer Laduma spoke to the radio DJ, real name Moeti Tsiki, to find out who he'd want to see in the famous gold and black jersey and where his love for the club comes from.
Where and when did your love for Kaizer Chiefs start?
So, Kaizer Chiefs has been a club that my family has been following for years. My grandfather used to own a club back in the day called City Ramblers. The first Kaizer Chiefs team formed by Ntate Kaizer, Chiefs took some players from City Ramblers and that's basically how our connection with Kaizer Chiefs started.
Who is your all time favourite Kaizer Chiefs player and why?
It has to be Doctor Khumalo. He won many titles with the club and he also took the game forward. Playing as a midfielder, it's one thing to do what's expected of you. It's another to do more than what's expected of you. So, I think '16v' really elevated the game and he was a somewhat of a mix between the kasi style football, as some people call it, and the more global modern approach to football, in his time any way. He had a good physique and he was very good on the ball. That for me, from a playing perspective, is why he is a GOAT (Greatest of all time). He was able to stay at the club post his playing career in the coaching divisions. I really do think Doctor Khumalo is one of those people who should remain at Kaizer Chefs and do a lot more for the club.
In the current squad, which player is your favourite and why?
My favourite player in the current team has to be Yusuf Maart. He has really become an important component of Arthur Zwane's team, in terms of the spine. He is a midfielder and plays in a bit of a holding role, but he is also a box-to-box. Offensively, he can give you a lot and defensively he is there to pick up the loose balls and intercept passes. As a creative, he scores bizarre goals and in terms of creativity, he is effective and he is prepared to try things and that's what I appreciate about him. I like his energy and his approach and he strikes me as a leader. I think we haven't had that in a while at Chiefs, someone who has passionate energy and demonstrates a certain kind of leadership. So far, Yusuf Maart is my favourite player in the team.
What do you make of Arthur Zwane's first season as head coach at Chiefs?
It has been a work in progress. He, at this stage, should know who his players are. In other words, he should have a sense of the players in the squad and he does. That's why you are seeing a lot more consistency as far as his starting line-up is concerned, primarily our defensive set-up. You always going to find (Edmilson) Dove, (Siyabonga) Ngezana, (Zitha) Kwinika. Those three have been pivotal in his back four, and then of course, depending on how he sets up, he can either have Reeve Frosler playing as a full back, or Ngezana. From a defensive point of view, he knows his set-up. In terms of attacking, he knows what Ashley Du Preez is capable of and he is giving him as much game-time as possible. He is confident in Du Preez and Dolly, even though has not really been at his best. I think he can give a lot more and maybe it's a form thing. I think he is uncertain as far as his strikers, between Saile and (Bonfils-Caleb) Bimenyimana. He is not sure because they are not scoring regularly. The jury is out on the striking department, but I think in general, coach Zwane does have a good base to work from in terms of players and I think he has achieved quite a lot in building the team and the core. Now he needs to win titles. The players seem to like him, so there are no issues in the change room that we know of. Not a bad start by coach Zwane.
If you were the coach, which players would you sign for Chiefs next season?
I would definitely sign (Junior) Mendieta from Stellies. I think he is absolutely brilliant. I would also bring in Bradley Grobler, even though his age might be a thing. But we need someone who is clinical. Yes, he is in the twilight years of his career, but looking at what we have, he wouldn't be off in comparison to the other strikers we have. I would also sign (Darwin) Gonzalez from Cape Town City. I think he is good in front of goal. Those are the three players I would bring. I don't think we need major changes in defence or midfield. If we can just sort out our attack, particularly our strikers, I think we will be fine.
As a Chiefs fan, how painful has it been seeing Sundowns win six league titles in a row?
It's it's been quite a pleasure, to be honest. In essence here is, as a Chiefs fan or a fan of any other club, there has to be an element of grace where you congratulate a team that is doing well. I am not saddened by Sundowns winning the title six times in a row. I am actually happy because they are not doing it out of chance or fluke. They are playing exceptional football. Their football has evolved, it's got purpose and intent. I really enjoy the way they play. Sundowns play better than Chiefs at the moment, if you look at overall style of play and the results they get from that. I think it's deserved and I think Chiefs need to learn something from Sundowns. I am not saying we should copy how they play, but I think we need to take some valuable lessons, like being able to play out the back using a goalkeeper and the two centre backs and full backs and building from there. That's modern football. You build better and create more width. Chiefs need to improve on that and Sundowns is a good benchmark.
How many Chiefs jerseys do you own?
I own the current season and maybe four others, dating as far back as 10 years ago.
If you could bring back one Chiefs player from the past, who would it be, and why?
I would certainly bring back Knowledge Musona. From a striking point of view, Chiefs hasn't had a prolific striker in a while. I could say Jabu Pule, but I think we have enough creative players. But Jabu Pule would be second to Musona, if I had the option of bringing back more than one.
