Chiefs and Johnson's defensive dilemma

As the DStv Premiership season draws closer to a return to action, Cavin Johnson remains faced with a defensive dilemma for the second half of the season.

Despite boasting one of most productive attacking lines in the league, Amakhosi finished the 22/23 season in an underwhelming fifth position without silverware or continental football.

READ | Chiefs confirm fresh new deals for THREE key players

Their downfall, by then head coach Arthur Zwane’s own admission, was defensive instability that saw them concede a staggering 33 goals, the most among the teams in the top five, six more than Sekhukhune United who finished seventh and one less than Marumo Gallants who finished bottom of the table.

The matter was treated with urgency as Chiefs hierarchy moved swiftly to seal deals For TS Galaxy’s Given Msimango and SuperSport United’s Thatayaone Ditlhokwe even before the end of the season.

Chiefs would further add Luke Fleurs who signed on as a free agent. Fast forward to mid-season of the 23/24 campaign interim coach Cavin Johnson finds himself in somewhat of a dilemma.

Although spoilt for choice in his defensive line, no particular pairing or specific back-four has proved reliable across five matches.

Ntseki started the season with a centre-back pairing of Msimango and Ditlhokwe. The pair kept four clean sheets from the seven opening matches they played together.

ALSO READ | PSL announce Nedbank Cup dates and venues

However, that combination was surprisingly changed, with Njabulo Ngcobo replacing Msimango. Chiefs would lose their two matches after that.

Ditlhokwe, who had so far proven to be the most relied-on player, playing every minute of every match this season, suffered a shoulder injury while on national duty in