Fifa break a double-edged sword for in-form Kaizer Chiefs

The winds of change have been blowing at Kaizer Chiefs in the last few weeks, but with the arrival of the Fifa break, it could prove to be a double-edged sword for their momentum.

Chiefs have won their last three games in a row, including matches in the CAF Confederation Cup and the Betway Premiership. With that, they are in arguably their best run so far this season, following their initial streak of four consecutive league wins.

Chiefs’ recent resurgence has come as a surprise. When they sacked coach Nasreddine Nabi earlier this season over allegations of mistrust and coaching issues, no one expected them to retain his deputies, Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.

After all, the duo were brought to the club by Nabi, and many expected that they would leave with him, either by his choice or the club’s decision.

Add to that the fact that Chiefs’ hierarchy may have thought they already had their men. After all, this was the same duo who won all their matches when Nabi was either away or suspended.

However, the wheels seemed to come off when the pair failed to secure a league win after drawing the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary second-round first leg away to AS Simba.

But things have changed. Chiefs are now in cruise mode, and the fact that Ben Youssef also recently went to Morocco on special leave, leaving Kaze in charge, seems neither here nor there.

So far, so good. Chiefs must use the FIFA break wisely to rest their legs, especially those players who have been in top form over the past few matches.

Mfundo Vilakazi has been one of the most promising players to emerge in the Chiefs’ setup in recent years, winning matches with his assists and goals - a sign that he’s slowly but surely coming of age.

Be that as it may, it has been Mduduzi Shabalala who is showing that he has what it takes to lead the team to the promised land. Shabalala has not only been the team’s standout performer in recent games - scoring twice in their 4–1 victory over Orbit College in their last match midweek  - but he has also caught the eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

That’s the greatest honour a player can receive: being called up to the national team. Bafana, to their credit, are living up to their billing as one of the best teams on the continent, having qualified for both AFCON and the World Cup.

However, not all is rosy about the FIFA break. Chiefs could lose their momentum during these two weeks, which might hamper their ability to keep pressure on pace-setters Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

Drop of form for early-season pace-setters Sekhukhune United since the last Fifa break, is evidence enough.

Once again, the football fraternity may have misjudged the capabilities of Kaze and Ben Youssef. They’ve shown great progress in recent matches, though their relatively unknown track record in South African football still leaves many questions unanswered.

That’s why this break could prove to have come at either the best or worst possible time for the club  - just as all eyes are turning to them at the peak of their momentum.