Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has questioned head coach Fernando Da Cruz’s team selection following Amakhosi’s 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby.
Khanye believes Rushwin Dortley deserved to retain his place in the starting line-up after an impressive return from injury, arguing that dropping the defender in favour of Miguel Inacio was a questionable decision.
Dortley recently returned to competitive action against TS Galaxy after spending approximately 18 months on the sidelines through injury. He partnered Thabo Moloisane in central defence as Chiefs secured a convincing 3-0 victory in the Carling Knockout Cup.
The defensive partnership also kept a clean sheet, giving the coaching staff a positive indication of what the two defenders could offer together.
However, Da Cruz opted to start Miguel alongside Moloisane against Pirates, leaving Dortley out of the starting eleven.
Speaking on iDiski TV, Khanye criticised the decision and questioned why the coach would break up a defensive combination that had just delivered a solid performance.
“The Chiefs coach made a blunder. I don’t understand why he’s putting Dortley outside,” Khanye argued.
He further questioned the lack of consistency in the team’s selection, suggesting that Dortley and Moloisane should have been given another opportunity to build their understanding at the heart of the defence.
Khanye was particularly critical of Miguel’s performance, pointing to the defender’s red card during the derby as another reason to reconsider the selection.
In his assessment, Miguel is more suited to a sweeping role but has struggled with his timing in defensive situations.
Could Dortley get another chance?
The derby defeat has renewed questions about Chiefs’ defensive organisation and whether Da Cruz made the right call by leaving Dortley on the bench.
With the defender now back from injury and having already demonstrated his quality alongside Moloisane, there is a strong argument for restoring him to the starting XI.
Of course, Dortley will still need to prove his fitness and maintain consistency, but his recent performance has given Chiefs supporters reason to believe he could play an important role in the team’s defence.
The big question now is whether Da Cruz will reconsider his defensive options ahead of Chiefs’ next assignment.
Should Rushwin Dortley replace Miguel in the Kaizer Chiefs starting XI?
