Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango admits the return of Njabulo Blom to the club is a massive boost for the 2024/25 season.
Blom, 24, rejoined Chiefs on a season-long loan after one-and-a-half seasons in Major League Soccer (MLS) with St Louis City where he emerged as a key player under former Amakhosi star, turned head coach Bradley Carnell.
However, after his exit, an alleged fallout with the new head coach saw him fall out of favour at the club, paving the way for his loan, with an option to buy to the Soweto giants as he returns in a notably improved physical and tactical level.
“Njabulo, yoh, quality human being, above everything else, obviously a quality footballer, he wouldn’t have been playing in America [if not], but he’s back here with us, he’s coming in to add to the quality we have,” Msimango stated when asked by iDiski Times what Blom brings.
“He’s a fantastic player but above anything else, a good human being.
“There’s a lot of work that’s being done [with the technical team] to improve the squad from a tactical level, not just the defensive block, it’s something the coach has been working on, we’re still working on it. We’ve yet to perfect it but I think by the weekend we will be ready for the game.”
Msimango also added he’s not concerned about all the new defensive signings and it’s now a challenge for him to rise above that and improve with the squad under new head coach Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team.
“I think for their perspective, I think the club felt we conceded a lot of goals last season and when I also do my introspection as a defender, we conceded quite a few, so when the club decides to strengthen at the back, it’s an opportunity to get better,” Msimango said.
“When they bring in quality players, it means more competition, it means more opportunity for me to improve as well, so I don’t think there’s any deeper reason beyond that – just to get the team where it deserves to be. Acquiring more quality players is never a bad thing as well. I think that’s where the club is at, from my understanding.”
Chiefs open their season against Marumo Gallants at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 17h30.
Story by Lorenz Kohler (@Lorenz_KO).
