Orlando Pirates’ injury rejects a gamble Kaizer Chiefs didn’t need

There’s been an understandable outpouring of disbelief of Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane’s departure from Orlando Pirates this winter.

The two fullbacks have had their fair share of fortune at Pirates, where Mako operated on the left and Monyane on the right.

Mako arrived at Pirates seven years ago and won numerous trophies in the process, including four MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups.

Monyane also achieved the same feat – and even more – as he joined Pirates when he was only 12 years old, spending 13 years at the club.

The duo were so good at some point that many tipped them to continue operating down the flanks for Bafana Bafana in the same games.

However, it’s been Monyane who has been favoured by coach Hugo Broos for Bafana in recent years, although he didn’t get a chance to cement his spot.

The duo do have a lot in common, so much so that on the flipside of their defensive abilities, they are both injury-prone as well.

They’ve spent a lot of time in the dressing room, leading them to missing out on some crucial matches for the Buccaneers in the past.

Now that both of them are reported to have crossed the road and joined arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs on free transfer deals this winter, it’s hard to fathom how Amakhosi have overlooked their injury woes.

Chiefs endured a lot of struggles last season, including missing out on a top-eight spot, so they can’t afford to sign players who could spend some time in the medical room.

Quite frankly, both players are not suitable for what should be their aspirations for next season – building the team that will compete for the title.

Chiefs didn’t miss out on the top-eight after blowing hot and cold, but the players that they signed were just not fit for their model as well, especially in defence.

Bongani Sam, another Pirates reject, didn’t play a single game for Chiefs last season – the left back sustained a lengthy injury and fell down the pecking order when he eventually recovered.

Edmilson Dove got injured during the pre-season tour of Turkey, requiring him to miss out on the better part of the season.

However, it wasn’t only injury concerns that stunned Chiefs’ defence, as players who were signed struggled to live up to expectations.

Bradley Cross, another left back, finished the season better than how he started as coach Nasreddine Nabi even argued at some point that they need a specialist left back.

Boy, such has been Chiefs’ defensive woes that Njabulo Blom has already been sent back to his parent club after an underwhelming loan stint at the Amakhosi.

And that’s not all. Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari failed to cement the No 1 spot. As such, he has fallen down the pecking order, with Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Petersen ahead of him.

And so, regardless of how well Mako and Monyane have done for Pirates, they seem to be adding to a crisis that Chiefs want to get rid of.

Add to the fact that while they’ve had their good fair share of fortunes at Pirates, they didn’t form part of coach Jose Riveiro’s integral plans last season, owing to form and injuries.

Chiefs should have gone for some exciting, fully-fit players, including Thabang Matuludi of Polokwane City at right back and Stellenbosch FC left back Fawaaz Basadien.

Basadien, notably, has been on Broos’ radar for Bafana, and even led the team during the recent friendly against Tanzania.

But, again, the decision rested with Chiefs and Nabi.

If they saw that Mako and Monyane would strengthen their squad, that was on them. But those would be questionable signings.