Kaizer Chiefs have faced challenges this season with a shortage of options in the right-back position, which has often forced players out of their natural roles.
Insiders close to the club have indicated that on-loan midfielder Njabulo Blom was not entirely comfortable with the technical team fielding him at right back during an injury crisis.
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The Siya crew has learned that Blom, who prefers playing as a central midfielder, raised concerns with the coaching team about being used as a right back.
"I think all that started when both Reeve Frosler and Dillan Solomons were injured and he was the only dependable player they could use on the right as the technical team didn't favour Zitha Kwinika (back then). But Njabulo was not happy and he expressed his feelings that he doesn't want to play at right back but in his favourite position as a defensive midfielder. It's believed that the technical team didn't take it well and that's why he apparently could not play for some time but now the matter is water under the bridge and everyone understands why Njabulo doesn't want to play at right back," the source told Soccer Laduma.
A second insider stated that despite the misunderstanding earlier in the season, Chiefs value Blom’s contributions and are exploring options to retain him beyond his current loan spell.
"That issue of him not wanting to play at right back is over and there are other positives like the team working on keeping him further beyond the loan at the end of the season. That shows that everyone is happy including the player himself. You know he is a Chiefs youth product and he knows the club just as the club knows him," the second insider stated.
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While the club appears keen to keep the 25-year-old, Blom faces fierce competition for starting opportunities in midfield. With players like captain Yusuf Maart, Edson Castillo, Sibongiseni "Ox" Mthethwa, Samkelo Zwane, and Thabo Cele all vying for midfield spots, Blom will need to prove his worth to secure a place in the team going forward.
Since returning to Amakhosi on loan at the start of the season, Blom has made many league appearances, showing his value to the squad.
Soccer Laduma reached out to Chiefs for comment but received no response by the time of publishing.
