Kaizer Chiefs boss Gavin Hunt was critical of his side’s poor showing in defence after they played out to a disappointing 2-2 draw against Stellenbosch on Tuesday.
After a goalless first half, Amakhosi had to come from a goal down twice, with Leonardo Castro and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo securing a point for their side after goals from Phathutshedzo Nange and Nathan Sinkala.
Throughout the game, Chiefs made series of mistakes that led to their goals conceded on the evening. It could have been worse if not for some wasteful finishing from the away side.
A particular theme that has plagued Hunt’s side this season is their woeful defending from set-pieces and it was the same story once again against Stellenbosch. Two of the goals Chiefs’ conceded were from set-pieces and the 56-year-old manager gave a fair assessment of his side’s struggles.
“It’s been a problem for us, our Achilles heel this season, that area of the pitch, it cost us again tonight so disappointed” Hunt said after the game.
“A little bit flat at times but we got into the game, the second goal took a little bit out of us but all in all disappointed with the result because I thought you gotta be better than that.”
“You gotta see the games out but they obviously had a foothold in the game, they got the goal, we chase it and once we got it, we got to 2-1 and you think ‘ok’… then we had Castro off the field.”
“I mean the second goal was really schoolboy, same position, bad defending, something that has cost us all season.”
“You don’t want a game against Stellenbosch to go from end to end because that suits them, you want to say a little bit compact and we start chasing it, then the game opens up and it suits them.”
“Because they got the type of strikers, the three of them like to play in half-space, the drop off and if you don’t get tight, they bounce it and then you are in trouble and then we chase.”
“As soon as we went 2-1… as I said we need to be better. It’s two areas of the pitch that cost us the whole season.”
Kaizer Chiefs will now turn their attentions to the CAF Champions League where they have a must-win game against Horoya on Saturday.