Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper John Tlale says Kaizer Chiefs blundered by releasing Itumeleng Khune without first getting a suitable replacement for him.
During off-season, the Soweto giants passed up the opportunity of signing Nigerian international Stanley Nwabali and opted for little-known Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari instead.
The latter had been plying his trade at TS Galaxy.
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In the seven matches he has manned the sticks in all competitions so far, Ntwari has let in 11 goals.
Chiefs' goalkeeping department currently looks thin, with Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma being the only recognized back-up net-minders.
"Kaizer Chiefs is a big team with too much pressure, and as the last line of defense, once you start conceding too many goals, you will lose confidence and start making a lot of mistakes," points out Tlale, speaking to KickOff.com.
"You will then end up not [being] competitive and good enough to play for Kaizer Chiefs, you know. That's what puts a goalkeeper under pressure.
"Ntwari's confidence on Saturday was very, very low. He constantly made mistakes and gave the ball to the opponents very easily, you know.
"Well, Ntwari is a good goalkeeper, but Chiefs is a big brand. hey need someone like Itumeleng Khune," adds the retired goalie.
Tlale says in a goalkeeper, Amakhosi fans expect someone with the ability to launch attacks from goal kicks like Khune did with aplomb over many years in the famous Gold and Black colours.
"Also, Khune made counterattacks easily.
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"I believe Chiefs should have allowed these other three goalkeepers to learn from Khune things like how to command the 18-yard area for at least one more season.
"They should have allowed them to be his understudy, and that could have brought them more confidence."