The rise and shine of Amakhosi

Kaizer Chiefs demonstrated character, dedication, determination, never die attitude and championship come-back winning (3-2) mentality against Moroka Swallows. The overall performance sends clear signals to other teams that Chiefs are ready to reclaim their glory days. 

The game was won on the bench. The master tactician Stuart Baxter made unusual bold decision of sacrificing a midfielder George Lebese by aggressive striker Kingston Nkhantha who contributed in creating the winning goal that put 3 points in the Chiefs bag. 

Many Stereotype coaches will tell u that you can't play Kingston Nkhanta, Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro concurrently but Stuart Baxter experiment of tactical idea by playing his 3 strikers at the same team yield positive results. I call that “thinking out of the box" tactical philosophy. 

Many soccer fans will argue that it is too early to start blowing trumpets about Chiefs meteoric performance because the league is marathon but Chiefs has already demonstrated glimpse of championship winning attitude.

They are still unbeaten after 11 games with 8 wins coupled with best defensive record and also the best striking record. Two of its main strikers Majoro and Parker are joint Premier Soccer League top goal-scorer with 7 goals each. Jealousy aside, current Chiefs meteoric performance can't be ignored as it deserves the soccer fan attention. 

I attributed the meteoric performance of Chiefs to freedom of expression given to players by a coach. Baxter is a matured professional coach who doesn't demonstrate angers and frustration by throwing tauntrams toward his players on the sideline.

Baxter is calm, collected and always encourages his players not to give up the fight before final whistle. Orlando Pirates won Championship in the last 2 seasons because of fighting spirit and last minute avalanches of goals and now the same trend is replicated by current Chiefs team. 

Chiefs ndi zwone I khou sitisa (Chiefs is breaking the hearts of many fans for various teams).

To this end, only Kaizer Chiefs can beat Kaizer Chiefs.

By Owen Mundalamo

Football Food for Thought