Chiefs’ Duba prefers playing at striker but ‘can’t argue with the coach’
Amakhosi will have a better second half of the season 'if they can improve their concentration'
16 January 2025 - 17:46
by SAZI HADEBE
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Wandile Duba celebrates a goal for Kaizer Chiefs. Picture: BACKPAGEPIX/SYDNEY MAHLANGU
Kaizer Chiefs forward Wandile Duba has admitted he prefers playing as a striker rather than a winger.
Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi has used Duba in both roles this season, but the 20-year-old Amakhosi youth product says he is more effective and comfortable playing at striker.
He was speaking before Chiefs’ Premier Soccer League clash against Sekhukhune United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday — a game Amakhosi will play without Nabi on the bench as he earned a red card in their 1-0 defeat against Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban on Sunday.
“Everyone knows from my time with the club in the DDC [Dstv Diski Challenge U-23 league] I play as a No 9. If I’m played as No 9, I give the team what they want,” Duba said on Thursday.
“I have discussed this with the coach but he plans in a different way for every game. I can’t argue with the coach. My job is to get on the field and play.
“Even if he wants to play me as a centre-back, I will get on the field and play because that’s my job.”
Nabi and his technical staff have strived for answers to many posers in their tough challenge of rebuilding Amakhosi.
It has largely been a battle, with inconsistent Chiefs in sixth place after 13 matches.
Duba called on his teammates to increase their focus during games, acknowledging part of their inconsistency has been due to an inability to concentrate throughout matches.
The forward has been one of his club’s few in-form players, contributing four of the 16 goals the club has scored in the Premiership.
WATCH | Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr understands that the supporters are entitled to voice their concerns amid expectations of new signings at Naturena.
Chiefs have lost five of those 13 games, won five and drawn three, but Duba believes if they can improve their concentration they will have a stronger second half of the season.
“There’s no game we’re not supposed to win, but our problem has been losing concentration in those matches and missing chances,” said Duba.
“If you look at the Arrows game we lost an important chance [by Ranga Chivaviro in front of an open goal], a chance we were supposed to score to at least steal a point. This puts pressure on us because we as strikers are paid to score goals.
“If we don’t take our chances we’re putting our defenders under pressure. Our problem is lacking the concentration but the desire and mentality to win games is there.”
Sixth-placed Chiefs have conceded the second most goals in the Premiership — as many as they have scored, 16 — after 13th place Marumo Gallants, 21.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Chiefs’ Duba prefers playing at striker but ‘can’t argue with the coach’
Amakhosi will have a better second half of the season 'if they can improve their concentration'
Kaizer Chiefs forward Wandile Duba has admitted he prefers playing as a striker rather than a winger.
Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi has used Duba in both roles this season, but the 20-year-old Amakhosi youth product says he is more effective and comfortable playing at striker.
He was speaking before Chiefs’ Premier Soccer League clash against Sekhukhune United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday — a game Amakhosi will play without Nabi on the bench as he earned a red card in their 1-0 defeat against Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban on Sunday.
“Everyone knows from my time with the club in the DDC [Dstv Diski Challenge U-23 league] I play as a No 9. If I’m played as No 9, I give the team what they want,” Duba said on Thursday.
“I have discussed this with the coach but he plans in a different way for every game. I can’t argue with the coach. My job is to get on the field and play.
“Even if he wants to play me as a centre-back, I will get on the field and play because that’s my job.”
Nabi and his technical staff have strived for answers to many posers in their tough challenge of rebuilding Amakhosi.
It has largely been a battle, with inconsistent Chiefs in sixth place after 13 matches.
Duba called on his teammates to increase their focus during games, acknowledging part of their inconsistency has been due to an inability to concentrate throughout matches.
The forward has been one of his club’s few in-form players, contributing four of the 16 goals the club has scored in the Premiership.
Chiefs have lost five of those 13 games, won five and drawn three, but Duba believes if they can improve their concentration they will have a stronger second half of the season.
“There’s no game we’re not supposed to win, but our problem has been losing concentration in those matches and missing chances,” said Duba.
“If you look at the Arrows game we lost an important chance [by Ranga Chivaviro in front of an open goal], a chance we were supposed to score to at least steal a point. This puts pressure on us because we as strikers are paid to score goals.
“If we don’t take our chances we’re putting our defenders under pressure. Our problem is lacking the concentration but the desire and mentality to win games is there.”
Sixth-placed Chiefs have conceded the second most goals in the Premiership — as many as they have scored, 16 — after 13th place Marumo Gallants, 21.
Liverpool in control, but the door is ajar
Dortmund’s season, coach’s future in the balance
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.