HARSH CRITICISM Veteran Kaizer Chiefs founding member Joseph Setlhodi has criticised South African goalkeepers, singling out Bruce Bvuma, as the team struggles with defensive weaknesses in the Betway Premiership. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
As one of the founding members of Kaizer Chiefs, when Joseph Setlhodi speaks, people tend to listen, and that’s why his criticism of current Chiefs number one goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma really stings.
Chiefs currently find themselves eighth on the Betway Premiership table, but the glaring statistic is that they have conceded 29 goals in 24 games. That is tied for the second-highest number of goals conceded in the league this season.
Though the Soweto Giants are not too far off third place, with Sekhukhune United on 37 points, it seems Chiefs are more likely to remain in mid-table with their campaign winding down.
The 77-year-old Setlhodi did not hold back in his assessment of Bvuma.
"If a goalkeeper is not doing well, then the whole team will not be doing well. All title-winning teams have good goalkeepers," he told SNL24.
"He is not well-composed; he doesn't show full ownership of the penalty area. A goalkeeper must put pressure on the opponents, but the likes of Bruce can't read games. All of these goalkeepers are the same. Especially these South African goalkeepers, they are the worst.
"Even me, at my age, I can go there and be a good goalkeeper. Sit on a chair and stand up only when the ball is coming to my direction.”
Harsh words indeed, and it seems a tad unfair to lay all the blame on one player. Chiefs in particular have battled injuries in a squad that appears to be a bit thin, with defender Rushwin Dortley as he’s just recently undergone surgery for an undisclosed problem.
New midfield signing Thabo Cele also pulled up injured at the beginning of this month, and it’s also unclear how long he will be sidelined.
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