It's almost halfway through the season and it's already clear that the same cycles are being repeated at Kaizer Chiefs.
After finishing in 10th position last season under caretaker coach Cavin Johnson, Amakhosi are huffing and puffing in the bottom half of the table and there is no end in sight to their struggles.
READ: Revealed: Why Dolly Missed Chiefs Showdown
One of the major problems of the last few seasons has been their defence, starting with the goalkeeping department. The Soweto giants can't seem to find a reliable number one goalkeeper and that's the case again this season. Fiacre Ntwari was brought in before the start of the season from TS Galaxy and he was seen as someone who could finally end the problems in goal.
But, a few months into the season, the Rwandan has not quite been able to cement his place as number one. He's recently had to recover from injury, but there were concerns over his performances which were not convincing. In the seven matches he had played, Ntwari conceded 11 times. Both Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma have had an opportunity to play this season and they too have not kept clean sheets.
As reported by the Siya crew, Amakhosi could rekindle their interest in Chippa United's Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who has previously expressed that he is open to playing for the Soweto giants.
The back-four has also been an area of concern for Amakhosi. The last time Amakhosi conceded less than 30 goals in a season was back in 2021/22, which shows how much they've struggled to find a solid back four, despite going into the market to sign so many defenders. It's no different this season. The central defensive combination of Inacio Miguel and Rushwin Dortley is yet to produce positive results, with the club conceding in every game they play.
They currently have the worst defence in the league with 13 goals conceded.
Not for the first time, Amakhosi's new signings are struggling to make an impact and are not living up to the early promise they showed in the first couple of matches of the campaign.
READ: Chiefs Rekindle Nwabali Interest?
Another problem is their form away from home. Like last season, their form away from home is not so good. They won just three matches on the road last time. This season, they've won two of their six away matches.
Little, it appears, has changed at Naturena, despite their efforts to bring in a new technical team and players.
Over the last few seasons, Gavin Hunt, Stuart Baxter, Arthur Zwane and Molefi Ntseki were unable to stay as head coaches at Naturena for more than one campaign. Looking at how things are going, the same cycles are being repeated and one wonders if Nasreddine Nabi could find himself joining the list of coaches who did not last long in the head coaching seat? Unless there is a major turnaround in results in the rest of the campaign.
