Stick with Bvuma in goal, Shongwe advises Chiefs

Ex-keeper says any change will kill Amakhosi's momentum

Neville Khoza Journalist
Bruce Bvuma of Kaizer Chiefs.
Bruce Bvuma of Kaizer Chiefs.
Image: Steve Haag/BackpagePix

With Kaizer Chiefs set to face Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League semifinal at Stade Mohammed V tomorrow (9pm), former goalkeeper William Shongwe has advised the club to stick with Bruce Bvuma in goal.

Bvuma has been exceptional for the Amakhosi and was also in goal when they beat Simba SC 4-3 on aggregate in the quarterfinal.

With the semifinal against a tough and in-form Wydad, there is a belief that the technical team may want to go with the experience of Itumeleng Khune or Daniel Akpeyi in goal.

But Shongwe feels Bvuma should continue. 

“If you look at Bvuma, he picked up form and he played the CAF games to be where they are at the moment, so [do] you want to take that away from him?” Shongwe asked.

He also questioned how close Khune and Akpeyi were to full match sharpness, having not seen action for a while.

“So, how now do you as a coach risk the momentum that has been built up already? Yes, Bvuma has done well, [but] you think the temptation may be [to say]  Khune will be able to stabilise this thing better because of his experience. Maybe Akpeyi. It’s a big temptation. But if I was the coach, I would say do not tamper with what has been happening.

“This boy [Bvuma] comes from nowhere and he has been waiting for his moment and let him continue. He has served under these two goalkeepers and he has been in and out of the team.

“Remember one time when Khune was injured and Akpeyi was injured and he came in to play. I remember that game against Cape Town City [when] he was thrown in the deep end three seasons ago. He played well, though Chiefs didn’t win that game.

“So, he has come a long way, so maybe this is his time. Throw him in the deep end.”

Shongwe is impressed with the 26-year-old's performances in the league and the continental competition and has no doubts that he will do well tomorrow.

“One thing that he lacked is confidence, to believe in himself. Because when you are given a chance and then while you think you are building up and then you are removed, it doesn’t build your confidence,” he said.

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