Have Chiefs finally replaced Masilela?

Reeve Frosler? How did Chiefs come to sign a relatively unknown player from the Portuguese second tier? And what has preseason told us about Shinga's current strengths and weaknesses? Soccer Laduma investigates.

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Kaizer Chiefs' surprise capture of KZN-born Nkanyiso Shinga means two new left-backs have been signed in the transfer window. In February, Soccer Laduma did a deep dive into coach Nasreddine Nabi's issues with his various options at left fullback. The coach went as far as to say he did not have a specialist in his entire squad.

Whilst Bongani Sam, Happy Mashiane, Edmilson Dove and Bradley Cross may all consider themselves adept or even natural in that role, Nabi saw the situation differently. What exactly will Shinga bring to the table? Can he cement the position in his battle against Paseka Mako and the versatile down the left as Hlanti featured in 30 of the 37 matches. He played in 24 of the 35 matches during the 2023/24 season but he was visibly slowing down and his performance levels could not be maintained.

Hence, we saw Bongani Sam and Cross acquired as backup plans to Chiefs' Basadien pursuit. Sam did not play a single competitive match and like Mabiliso, he arrived as a proven left back at a good age who flopped once he entered the building at Naturena. Dove and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe were often used in the left back role but they clearly did not impress.

Even before Masilela left Chiefs, they looked to create a succession plan but players like Sibusiso Khumalo, Simphiwe Mtsweni, Levy Mokgothu and Keegan Ritchie could not perform at anywhere near the same level.

Shinga's strengths... and weaknesses