CONFEDERATION CUP
Chiefs’ puzzling tactical changes go unexplained
Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp could not give a satisfactory explanation for switching from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-4-1-1 in his team’s 2-1 home leg Caf Confederation Cup playoff round defeat against Zesco United on Saturday night. Middendorp’s switch raised eyebrows as Chiefs‚ instead of fighting to reduce a 3-1 away-leg deficit‚ capitulated to a 5-2 aggregate defeat in the round before the group stage. The 3-5-2 with wingbacks that the coach has employed in all Amakhosi’s games recently has yielded goals. And goals were what Chiefs needed. Instead‚ with Daniel Cardoso at rightback‚ limiting attacking options‚ Chiefs appeared disorientated in a new system against Zesco. Middendorp effectively blamed predecessor Giovanni Solinas‚ who he replaced as head coach on December 7‚ for not having registered fullback Kgotso Moleko for the Confed. But Ugandan Godfrey Walusimbi‚ who the coach has employed successfully as a right wingback ‚ is registered‚ and was on Amakhosi’s bench. “It...
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