Have Chiefs solved their full-back problems?

As recently as February, we looked at Kaizer Chiefs' issues in the left-back position.

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Back then, coach Nasreddine Nabi was openly telling the media that he had no specialists in the role in his squad despite the presence of Bongani Sam, Happy Mashiane and Bradley Cross. We can only guess what the players thought of their coach's comments. With talk dying down of a big-money move for Stellenbosch FC's Fawaaz Basadien, it could instead be Orlando Pirates' Paseko Mako who comes through the door. With further rumours of a move for right-back Thabiso Monyane, it appears that Amakhosi have finally realised their problems in both full-back roles, one of modern football's key areas. In this feature, we look at Chiefs' muddled strategy on both flanks and assess what Mako and Monyane would bring to the club.

Profiling issues on the left?

It is no secret that Kaizer Chiefs went for Fawaaz Basadien in the past. As much was admitted by Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. as he said: "Basadien, great talent. We've always had a very positive relationship with Stellenbosch FC. Basadien has been on our radar for a couple of seasons now. I think sometimes it's just an issue of timing."

When it became clear that Stellies would not sell Basadien prior to last season, Chiefs instead moved for Bradley Cross. Without delving into the individual merits of the latter once again, no one can deny that Basadien and Cross have totally different styles of play. The latter is never going to get forward a lot from full-back and will often naturally form a back three. Basadien was a winger for much of his career and can get into the final third to great effect. An incredible seven goals and eight assists last season proved that point.