Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benedict Vilakazi believes that Gavin Hunt needs to give misfiring Kaizer Chiefs winger Lebogang Manyama a wake up call.
Manyama has worn the captain’s armband under Hunt but Vilikazi believes that other players should be given a chance to shine. The 30-year-old has two goals and two assists to his name in 11 DStv Premiership matches for Kaizer Chiefs.
Have Kaizer Chiefs put too much faith in Manyama?
Kaizer Chiefs played to a disappointing goalless draw with Stellenbosch FC on Saturday and despite being four games unbeaten are ten points off the pace set by PSL leaders Sundowns.
Vilikazi believes that Manyama lacks motivation, after he failed to back up a goal and an assist in the victory over TTM in midweek with a performance on Saturday.
“Against TTM I think he had that mentality where he says ‘I am a big name-player and also the team is having problems so obvious I have an advantage. Whatever I do, I will have an advantage because there are problems in the team.’ Psychologically, TTM players were not there 100 percent,” Vilakazi told iDiski TV.
“But look today, they played against a team whose players are ready, players that are focused. So that is why it was so difficult for him to shine. So it tells you about his quality that if he is not pulling his socks up he will have to sit on the grandstands and give the youngsters a chance.”
Vilikazi lays into Kaizer Chiefs
Vilikazi stopped short of suggesting Hunt was favouring Manyama but could not believe that Dumisani Zuma and Siphelele Ntshangase had not played more.
“I am also surprised why people like Manyama keep on getting playing chances whereas [Dumisani Zuma] plays two just games and then he is left out of the team,” Vilakazi said.
“[Siphelele] Ntshangase played in the Caf Champions League qualifiers for the group stage but now we do not see him. So let’s be open for everyone. If some players have been given a chance even if they don’t perform, why not also give a chance to others?”
Kaizer Chiefs face Orlando Pirates in the first Soweto Derby of the league season next weekend after a midweek encounter with Baroka FC.
