Fabian McCarthy highlights leadership gaps in Kaizer Chiefs' defence
Betway Premiership
Inacio Miguel was injured in a tackle in the match against Polokwane City. The team is now approaching a decisive stage in their season, but a growing injury list – especially in defence – is threatening to derail their push for a top-eight finish and their bid to finally lift a trophy after a 10-year drought.
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Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Fabian McCarthy believes leadership gaps and inconsistent performances are at the heart of the club’s defensive woes in what has been a turbulent 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
Chiefs’ defensive frailties were once again exposed over the weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Marumo Gallants, a result that further dented their hopes of a strong finish this season.
With that defeat, Amakhosi’s defensive record took another blow, pushing them into the unwanted position of being the third-highest conceding team in the Betway Premiership.
Only Gallants (37) and AmaZulu (33) have allowed more goals, with Chiefs conceding 31 in their 26 outings. Despite numerous changes to the backline throughout the campaign, coach Nasreddine Nabi has struggled to find a solid defensive unit.
He has rotated Rushwin Dortley, Inacio Miguel, Given Msimango, Edmilson Dove, and Zitha Kwinika across the centre-back positions without establishing a settled partnership.
Nabi’s struggles have not been limited to his defensive line. Finding a consistent and reliable shield in midfield has been equally problematic.
January signing Thabo Cele has had to shoulder much of the responsibility, with the likes of Ox Mthethwa, Yusuf Maart, and Samkelo Zwane failing to stake permanent claims.
McCarthy, who spent five years marshalling Chiefs’ defence and winning league titles, believes the root of the problem runs deeper than tactical choices. Speaking during the MTN8 Last Legend Standing Fund Disbursement event, the former stalwart pointed to a glaring leadership vacuum.
“I would say it is the responsibility of certain players who are supposed to be taking their tasks on their shoulders,” he said.
“Its basic things like saying I’m in charge of the partnership at centre back or saying I’m in charge of a particular side with relation to my full back partner and also the guy in the middle who’s playing as a destroyer, there needs to be a clear understanding and a lot of sacrifice.”
McCarthy also highlighted that the lack of unity and resilience is costing Chiefs crucial points in tight encounters.
“At the moment it looks like they’re doing things individually, if one makes a mistake then there’s finger pointing and then the coach makes changes and searches for other combinations.”
He further questioned the leadership qualities within the squad, noting that true character should not only show at training but especially during critical match moments.
“I think Chiefs has good players but they don’t have leadership and that’s the quality we have to see, not showing it at Naturena only but also in games where it matters most.”
“We haven’t seen the character from some of these players, its almost as if they haven’t come out of their shells. There’s always pressure at Kaizer Chiefs whether they like it or not and when you play, you have to show (why you’re playing).”
Chiefs’ brittle defence will face a huge examination with back-to-back Soweto Derby clashes against Orlando Pirates looming. They meet the Buccaneers first in a league clash on Saturday, before locking horns again in the Nedbank Cup final on May 10.