The reality that Kaizer Chiefs were once 13 points clear at the summit of the log, until they were pipped by Mamelodi Sundowns to the title on the last day of the season, leaves a lot of questions about the club's propensity for success.
The title slipped through Chiefs' fingers after playing out to a 1-all draw with Baroka at the weekend. The Soweto outfit had scored first via Khama Billiat in the first period, before allowing Baroka to strike a minute before the hour-mark. Baroka's goal that ended Chiefs' title hopes was scored by Manuel Kambala.
Having been on top of the log since beating Black Leopards 1-0 in the second match of the season in August last year, Chiefs eventually finished second on57 points, two adrift of Sundowns, who thumped Leopards 3-0 in their last match.
Well, there are a number of factors that proved Chiefs' undoing, but being too one-dimensional in their approach takes the cake.
Amakhosi hardly scored from open play, relying hugely on set-pieces to get goals. More than 20 of the 43 goals they scored came from set-plays. Coach Ernst Middendorp seemed not to have plan B in most games where the set-play approach was not yielding any result.
The departure of midfielder George Maluleka in June also robbed their midfield of creativity. Before exiting after penning a pre-contact with Sundowns, Maluleka had started 15 of the 19 league games he played.
Middendorp's philosophy of playing players out of position also played a role in them ending up not winning the championship. Bar their come-from-behind 3-2 win over Polokwane City, Bernard Parker and Akumu Agay never showed up playing out of position.
In many games, Parker, a natural forward, operated as a creative midfielder who was supposed to fill the gaping hole left by Maluleka, while Agay, who's a central midfielder, was at times deployed at central defence.
As his contract ends at the end of the upcoming season, Middendorp is unlikely to be retained, with Chiefs hierarchy believed to have already contacted four-time league winning coach Gavin Hunt, who is out of a job.
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