Amakhosi’s Pre-Season Plans Hit a Defensive Roadblock
Chiefs were dealt an injury blow as captain Paseka Mako injured himself whilst on the club’s pre-season tour in Spain. Expected to provide stability at left-back, Kaizer Chiefs have suffered a blow during their preparations for the new season as captain Paseka Mako suffered an injury whilst on tour in Spain.
Mako was forced to cut Chiefs’ European camp short after injuring his forearm against Saudi Arabian club side Al-Kholood. He has since traveled back to South Africa for a thorough assessment. Timing is everything, and for Chiefs, who are entering a new chapter under head coach Fernando da Cruz, things couldn’t have come at a worse time. With a Betway Premiership campaign ahead of them once again, Chiefs will be looking to hit the ground running, and there have already been many question marks surrounding the vacant left-back role.
A Familiar Headache Rears its Head Again for the Chiefs
That question mark has resurfaced for Chiefs amid injuries to potential candidates to fill the void left by their injured captain. Reports earlier surfaced indicating that both Mako and Nkanyiso Shinga were battling injury issues ahead of the South African season. That has left Bradley Cross shouldering much of the load at left-back.
Full-backs these days are required to do more than just defend. With wingers being few and far between at Naturena, full-backs are expected to bomb forward to provide width, get involved in attacks, whip in crosses and recover quickly when the team loses possession. To lose experience in that department hurts Chiefs not only from a tactical perspective but from a leadership point of view too.
Set for Important Role in Chiefs’ Defense
Signing Chiefs from Bidvest Wits, Mako brought with him experience at the highest level of South African football. During his time with Orlando Pirates, the defender won league titles and was one of the most popular players followed and studied by obsessed fans throughout the internet and at the South African betting guide on BettingTop10. He was a regular in matches where teams opt to commit more men forward, such as cup games and CAF competitions.
That experience was something Chiefs were hoping Mako would bring to the Naturena ranks. Veteran players who know what it’s like to play in a Soweto derby, battle it out in a title race, and play knockout football are essential to have in what is a relatively young squad. After missing a chunk of last season through injury, Mako made just two appearances last term, but he was still expected to play an important role in Chiefs’ rearguard.
Cross Has Been Chiefs’ Left-Back Savior
The position hasn’t been Chelsea’s biggest priority in the transfer market this off-season, but they do have a player who has been doing that job for them under Bradley Cross. The South African was afforded game time last season and proved why he is part of the club’s long-term plans. Able to hold his own defensively while getting forward and contributing to attack, Cross has all the attributes Da Cruz will be looking for in his left-back. Chiefs are expected to have plenty of competition on their plate this season, so sweating any player — specialist or otherwise — will be risky over a long and grueling season.
Selection Dilemma for New Chiefs Coach
All of this comes at a time when Da Cruz is still getting to know his squad. After replacing Ernst Middendorp, who parted ways with the club in December, Da Cruz has big boots to fill at Naturena.
With only three months into his tenure, Chiefs have moved for new players in defense and midfield and said their goodbyes to outgoing players during the close of the 2025/26 season.
Expect the former Pirates coach to experiment with different formations and player combinations during the friendly matches. Still, Mako’s injury throws a spanner in the works with the club now faced with a selection dilemma at left-back. They could do the following:
- Stick with who is currently at the club
- Alter their system to suit who they have available
- Play someone out of position
- Or go out and buy someone who can do the job
- Chance for others to steal a spot
It goes without saying that losing Mako for an extended period is a setback for Chiefs, but it does open the door for others to stake a claim to start in his position. History is filled with stories of squad players seizing their chances when they’ve come along and become household names.
There have been instances where Chiefs have done the same, with the club heavily investing in its youth setup and frequently blooding youngsters into the first-team setup. Should someone impress for Chiefs during the friendly matches, it could change the club’s plans when it comes to filling the void left by Mako.
Chiefs’ Road Ahead in 2026/27
Life won’t get any easier for Amakhosi in the upcoming campaign. Years of Project restart have seen the club go through iteration after iteration in search of stability. While the East Rand giants have finally found some sort of consistency in the playoffs, there are high expectations at Naturena once again.
Now is not the time for weaknesses, and suddenly, Chiefs have got themselves a problem at left-back. Fans of the Soweto giants should fear not, as the club is expecting Mako to kick-start his rehabilitation process in due time and rejoin the rest of the squad when he’s ready.
Until the big Champions League parties start rolling into Naturena, Da Cruz needs to work out how he’s going to balance his desire to keep leaking the least amount of goals while ensuring his side are attacking enough to trouble opponents.