Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has a new selection dilemma in the Betway Premiership following the arrival of Langelihle Phili, whose preferred position is also the strongest role of fellow young forward Asanele Velebayi.
Both players are right-footed left wingers who are most effective when starting on the left and cutting inside. Phili’s signing gives Amakhosi another exciting attacking option, but it also presents Da Cruz with the challenge of finding a system that allows two of South Africa’s brightest young talents to play together without weakening the team’s balance.
Coaches naturally want their best players on the pitch at the same time. Da Cruz must now decide whether either player can adapt to a different position, or whether their movement and positioning can be adjusted to accommodate both.
Football has plenty of examples of leading players successfully changing roles to overcome similar selection problems. Thierry Henry began his career as a left winger before becoming one of Arsenal’s greatest strikers, while Cristiano Ronaldo developed from an explosive wide player into a prolific central forward.
Da Cruz’s situation is more complicated because both Phili and Velebayi have already been used on the right wing and as number 10s during their careers. Neither has consistently produced his best football in those positions.
On the right, both lose the natural angle that allows them to cut inside on to their stronger right foot. In the middle, they are denied the open space they need to run at defenders. Their biggest strengths are displayed when they attack from the left flank.
A similar problem faced Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou last season. The eventual solution involved moving Relebohile Mofokeng into the number 10 role, while Oswin Appollis occupied the left-wing position, although Appollis operated more as a left midfielder or second number 10.
A simple positional swap may not be enough for Da Cruz, meaning Kaizer Chiefs could need a more flexible approach.
One possibility would be to encourage Phili and Velebayi to exchange positions during matches. Regular movement across the attacking line could make Kaizer Chiefs less predictable while still giving both players opportunities to arrive on their preferred left side.
Da Cruz could also overload that flank. One player could remain wide and provide the width, while the other moves into a left-sided midfield position. That would create a numerical advantage in the area and give Kaizer Chiefs more ways to progress the ball.
Another solution would be to rotate the pair according to form, fitness and the opposition. That approach would require one of the two players to begin some matches on the bench, but it could help keep both fresh during the Betway Premiership campaign.
The decision will test Da Cruz’s tactical imagination. If he finds a way to bring Phili and Velebayi into the same attacking structure, Kaizer Chiefs could develop one of the most exciting and unpredictable forward units in the Betway Premiership.
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