Extra Time: With a below-average squad, Amakhosi never signed a single player during the January transfer window, writes Michael Madyira.
Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs hit a new low when they were booted out of the Nedbank Cup at the weekend.
They were eliminated by National First Division relegation candidates Milford FC who have just two points more than basement side Platinum City Rovers.
It was a match in which the odds were stacked against Amakhosi’s visitors from KwaZulu-Natal.
Milford conceded a penalty in extra time and one of their players was red-carded during the same period, but Chiefs failed to capitalise on this.
Milford is led by part-time coach Dr Xanti Pupuma, who is a full-time gynaecologist in Richards Bay.
Pupuma made a mockery of the Soweto giants, who are under the tutelage of veteran tactician Cavin Johnson, assisted by ex-Bafana Bafana star Dillon Sheppard.
The rate at which Chiefs missed scoring opportunities was mind-boggling.
It is a problem that has haunted the Soweto giants in recent seasons and they seem to be doing little to fix their attacking weaknesses.
On Sunday, their strikeforce saw Ashley du Preez, Christian Saile Basomboli and Ranga Chivaviro take turns to miss glorious chances in which it seemed easier to score than to miss.
What was happening reminded many that this is a club with a below-average squad that never signed a single player during the January transfer window.
Already at that time there were calls for Amakhosi to beef up their squad, especially in attack. But the bosses at Naturena appeared arrogant and remained inactive in the transfer market.
It is unheard of for a big club to miss out on a transfer period, especially in the case of Chiefs, who are desperate to end a nine-year trophy drought.
What is happening at Naturena is not normal but Amakhosi’s usually demanding fans seem to be getting used to mediocrity.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs attacker Pule Mmodi trying to shrug off the challenge of a Milford FC player.
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
