Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has stepped up to defend striker Ranga Chivaviro, who has faced criticism for his lack of goals this season.
The 32-year-old forward has netted just three league goals in 16 appearances, with his early promising form fading as the season progresses. This dip in performance has seen him drop down the pecking order, and he has been met with disapproval from some Chiefs supporters. However, Khumalo believes Chivaviro’s struggles are not entirely his fault.
According to Khumalo, the key to Chivaviro’s success lies in receiving the right support from his teammates. “Ranga is not a bad striker,” Khumalo told iDiski Times. “What he needs is for his teammates to understand his style of play and give him the right passes.”
Khumalo shared insights from his playing days, explaining that understanding the strengths of different strikers was crucial for his success. “I learned that with Scara [Thindwa], I needed to pass the ball to his feet, not to space. With Fani Madida, I played the ball to space, and with Shane [McGregor], I waited for him to lose his marker before crossing,” said Khumalo.
Despite the arrival of Tashreeq Morris from SuperSport United, another striker who has also struggled to find the back of the net, Khumalo believes that with more creative players who can deliver quality service, Chivaviro will regain his scoring touch.
“The current Chiefs team lacks that crucial understanding on the field,” Khumalo added. “When there’s no connection between players, strikers like Ranga appear ineffective, even if that’s not entirely the case.”
Khumalo’s message is clear: if Kaizer Chiefs can provide better support and build chemistry among their attacking players, Chivaviro’s potential can be unlocked once again.
