Chikoya: Chiefs don't have a bench

Former Orlando Pirates left-back Innocent Chikoya says Saturday's Soweto Derby demonstrated that Kaizer Chiefs currently lack strength in depth.

Amakhosi’s major signings, Langelihle Phili and Khanyisa Mayo, remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

READ | 'Pirates star Mokobodi joining Rele overseas soon'

The latest Soweto Derby highlighted a significant gap in Kaizer Chiefs’ squad depth, suggesting that the team lacks the experienced substitutes needed to compete with the league’s leading sides.

The Glamour Boys suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Amstel Arena, relinquishing an early advantage in a match of two distinct halves.

A comparison of how the two coaches used their available substitutes helps explain why Chiefs' bench proved inadequate under the pressure of the derby.

Chikoya said the match showed that, although Chiefs’ starting eleven can compete with the league's best, football requires sustained effort over 90 minutes. At present, he believes, Amakhosi lack the substitutes needed to secure victory.

"Kaizer Chiefs are not in the same category as Orlando Pirates at present,” Chikoya tells KickOff.

READ | Harrowing reality for Chiefs striker

"The dynamics at Pirates at the moment are formidable. This Pirates side reminds me of the team from the Brandon Silent and Helman Mkhalele era. Chiefs caused problems in the first half, but there was little from them in the second. They do not have enough depth on the bench.

"In the second half, Chiefs needed a player who could provide a Plan B. They did not cope, and they did not have a second option."

Related tags

Exclusive Fernando Da Cruz Innocent Chikoya Kaizer Chiefs Orlando Pirates Soweto Derby