The unavailability of rising star Wandile Duba for the upcoming Soweto Derby after receiving a fourth yellow card has been described as a blow for struggling Kaizer Chiefs.
The two old foes meet in a key Betway Premiership encounter at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Saturday, with Pirates chasing the league title, while Chiefs are desperate to salvage a poor season.
READ | Egypt boss: I've been analysing Amajita for months
Due to a lack of goals, the men in Black and Gld have appeared to rely on Duba to locate the net.
Ranga Chivaviro and Tashreeq Morris have failed to find their scoring boots, while newcomer Glody Lilepo has taken it upon himself to carry the load though has blown hot and cold.
Duba will miss the derby after collecting his fourth caution during the 2-1 loss to Marumo Gallants last weekend.
Thembinkosi Biyela, who played for Amakhosi in the 1990s, says the former DStv Diski Challeng's absence is bad news.
"He has been the most consistent player in the frontline. I don't understand what's happening with the others. Even the coach isn’t helping by playing players like Ashley Du Preez as a right back, as we saw on the weekend against Marumo Gallants," says the erstwhile attacker.
"The poor guy was tasked with defending corner kicks and assisting at the back when the team was being counter-attacked. I’m honestly not sure what's going on at the club, but I can tell you that coach (Nasreddine) Nabi is part of the problem."
Biyela raised concerns about the coach's inconsistent team selection, stating, "He changes his line-up for every game, and no one can predict who will be playing against Pirates this weekend.
"If he were a local coach, he would have been fired by now. Why is he still being given opportunities despite his poor performance?
READ: Foster and 14 SA stars who've played in EFL Championship!
"What kind of Kaizer Chiefs team remains in ninth or ninth position for so long? If Nabi were a local coach, he would already be gone. Why should he get another season when others haven't been afforded that chance?"
Biyela criticized the coach's strategy, saying, "He still doesn’t have a solid team as the season is coming to an end. Once his team scores first, they stop attacking. I just don't understand what he’s trying to achieve. Is he cooking an an oxtail dish or something else like mogodu perhaps?
