Abel ‘Chacklas’ Shongwe has given an explanation as to why the No. 10 jersey has been so heavy on players at Kaizer Chiefs and believes another player should have been given the number ahead of Keagan Dolly.
Chiefs have done some exciting business in the transfer window, bringing in the likes of Kgaogelo Sekgota, Given Thibedi and more recently ex-Mamelodi Sundowns star Dolly.
The likes of Absalom Thindwa, Isaac Kungwane and Stanton Fredericks have all donned the jersey before but Siphelele Ntshangase is the last player to wear the number.
Although, the Mamelodi Sundowns star has been handed the shirt, Shongwe feels Thibedi – who returns from a loan stint with Swallows – would have been a perfect fit for the number 10.
“Wearing the Kaizer Chiefs jersey irrespective of what number, it becomes heavy for any player. To me, the number suited [Siyabonga] Nkosi very well,” Shongwe said in an interview.
“Number 10 needs someone who knows what is behind his back. It’s only that he didn’t last very long at Chiefs.
“My concern [with Dolly] is when he came here for Bafana Bafana, he didn’t perform well. To me, this boy was good when he was at Sundowns.
“Going abroad changed his style of play a lot. Probably he will change [back to his old style], but I’m happy that Chiefs signed this boy.
“I’m also happy with the boy who is coming back from Swallows Thibedi. I thought maybe the number 10 will go to that boy. That boy for me he is a maestro.
“That boy is still going to learn a lot and is very talented. What I like about him, he’s also comfortable on the ball; he can read them very well also. To me, that number 10 would suit him very well.”
It will be interesting to see how Dolly performs in new surroundings.