Farouk Khan Calls for a Midfield “Conductor” to Elevate Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs may have secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Richards Bay on Wednesday evening, but critics and analysts argue there’s still room for improvement, particularly in their attacking game. Former Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan has identified a critical missing piece in their squad: a midfield “conductor” capable of dictating the tempo and orchestrating team play.

Where Chiefs Need to Improve

Speaking exclusively to Soccer Laduma, Khan highlighted that while Chiefs have a strong squad, they lack the kind of player who can seamlessly transition the team from defense to attack and unlock opposition defenses.

“For me, Chiefs have almost all the players they need in the team. There is only one missing piece in the puzzle, and it’s the conductor,” said Khan.

He compared this missing role to players like Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns and Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates, as well as Chiefs legends such as Doctor Khumalo, Scara Ngobese, and Thabo Mooki.

“You don’t buy such players. You develop them,” Khan emphasized. “If Chiefs can develop such a player or find one from their development, that would really help the team a lot.”

The Current Squad

Chiefs’ struggles in the midfield have often been attributed to their attacking line, but Khan believes the issue lies in their inability to link play effectively. While Gaston Sirino was brought in to address some of these concerns, he has yet to make a significant impact, and his absence against Richards Bay due to Reeve Frosler’s red card further highlighted the gap.

Sundowns as a Case Study

Khan also pointed out that Sundowns’ recent struggles, particularly following Themba Zwane’s injury, underline the importance of having a midfield maestro.

“Every team needs a conductor. He is the one who helps the team gel from defense to attack, and once he is not there, you can see the difference,” Khan said, drawing parallels with Chiefs’ current situation.

What’s Next for Chiefs?

Despite their victory over Richards Bay, Chiefs face mounting pressure to address their attacking inefficiencies. As they look for a new striker and wide attacking forward, developing or recruiting a playmaker remains a priority for the club.

The need for a midfield conductor could prove to be the deciding factor in Chiefs’ pursuit of silverware this season. By identifying and nurturing such talent, either through their development system or the transfer market, Amakhosi could unlock their full potential and reclaim their place at the pinnacle of South African football.

For now, however, Chiefs fans will have to rely on the team’s resilience and adaptability as they continue to push forward in the PSL.