Ex-Orlando Pirates star Benedict Vilakazi has taken a swipe at Kaizer Chiefs boss Gavin Hunt for needless changes in his lineup, following their shock defeat to Chippa United in midweek.
After ending the unbeaten run of the leaders in brilliant fashion, many expected Amakhosi to use that game as a springboard to perhaps build a winning run but none of that happened. In what was an unexpected result, relegation-threatened Chippa United took all three points on Kaizer Chief’s home turf and it seemed like back to square one once again.
Cameroonian striker Beinvenu Eva Nga came off the bench to grab the goal that stunned Amakhosi at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.
Reflecting on that loss, Vilakazi was not pleased with Chiefs’ mentality in that game, saying they didn’t match the efforts of Chippa while adding that they were lucky to beat Sundowns.
“Chiefs were lucky to beat Sundowns. Now they thought that luck will always repeat itself,” Vilakazi said in an interview.
“Sometimes luck depends on how you are pushing yourselves. Chippa played as if they were at home as compared to Chiefs. In the first 15 minutes Chiefs looked like a team which could score anytime but after that, you could see Chippa starting the ball from the back and building up, getting into the midfield and the final third.
“If we are honest, Chippa United deserved something, they were better than Chiefs by far. It was worse when [Vladislav] Heric introduced a second striker [Eva Nga to partner Augustin Kwen] and it became a problem for Chiefs.”
From the squad which claimed a big win over Sundown, Gavin Hunt made some tweaks and switched Philani Zulu from midfield, deploying him in the left-back position.
If that wasn’t enough, he also started Dumisani Zuma and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo who were on the bench against Masandawana, meaning in-form Reeve Frosler at left back was dropped to the bench. Vilakazi took a swipe at the unnecessary changes made.
“In football if you are not going to do the right thing, we will see it on the field of play,” added Vilakazi.
“Chiefs are toying with the feelings of their supporters. You can’t play against Sundowns [and win], yes we know no one expected you to win and now against Chippa, the coach changes everything.
“I always say that if it’s not broken, why fix it? Why did you fix something which was not broken? It is difficult to have luck and now he thinks that luck will come back. But well done to Chippa.”
Chiefs will now prepare to visit Bloemfontein Celtic for their next league match on Saturday.