Stuart Baxter was known for selecting his trusted stars, and here are six Kaizer Chiefs players who could benefit from the Englishman’s departure.
Amakhosi signed nine players ahead of the current campaign, but only Keagan Dolly, Cole Alexander and Phathutshedzo Nange really became regulars in Baxter’s team, Austin Dube to an extend.
Brandon Petersen also needed to wait his turn but was picked as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in the second half of the campaign.
However, the likes of Sibusiso Mabiliso, Njabulo Ngcobo and Kgaogelo Sekgota all struggled for regular game-time under Baxter.
In addition, players such as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Happy Mashiane, who had a played regular last season and played an important part in Chiefs’ run to the CAF Champions League final, had less game-time than expected in 2021/22.
However, after Baxter’s contract was terminated before the end of the season, several Chiefs players might get a new lifeline at the club.
Mshini, as he is affectionally known, only featured 13 times this season so far, while making 40 appearances last season. Baxter himself admitted that he struggled to find the right position for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, with the former coach often relying on Dolly, Khama Billiat and Bernard Parker in his attacking positions.
Sekgota, 24, also suffered from Baxter’s reliance on his tested and tried forwards, only making two starts this campaign. He did feature 14 times, but his game-time was often very limited and he only accumulated 325 minutes in those matches.
One of the biggest talking points has been the continued absence of Njabulo Ngcobo, who was named DStv Premiership Defender of the Season before he joined Chiefs from Swallows.
Many expected Baxter to rebuild Chiefs defense around the 27-year-old ball-playing centre-back but he, too, found himself more on the bench than many expected.
He’s only featured in four of Amakhosi’s last 12 matches, with Baxter preferring the likes of Eric Mathoho and Daniel Cardoso at back. Lately, even the likes of Siyabonga Ngezana and Ramahlwe Mphahlele were preferred over Ngcobo.
Another player who was expected to feature more was left-back Mabiliso, who joined Amakhosi from AmaZulu. In particular after S’fiso Hlanti’s long-term injury, the 23-year-old was believed to feature more, but he’s only made five appearances for the club, starting just one, with his last game dating back to December.
One could’ve thought that perhaps Mabiliso’s absence would benefit Mashiane but the 24-year-old also only featured four times this season so far. The 2021/22 campaign must be seen as a step back for the left-back, who featured 18 times last season.
Sabelo Radebe, 22, was promoted to the first team in the beginning of the campaign and many fans were left excited after seeing his performance in the Carling Black Label Cup. However, he too, was not able to cement regular game time and only collected 87 minutes over six appearances under Baxter.
