Three key players at Kaizer Chiefs

In the first of a new series looking at all 16 Premier Soccer League clubs, we assess who have been three key players at Kaizer Chiefs this season, helping the AmaKhosi to the top of the Absa Premiership table.

DANIEL CARDOSO

The centre-back has played every minute of the league campaign to date, and been a model of consistency alongside Erick Mathoho in the heart of the Chiefs backline.

Such has been Cardoso’s form that Chiefs were happy to let Lorenzo Gordinho leave for BidVest Wits in January, certain that they would not need his cover.

Chiefs have conceded only 17 goals this season, second only to Mamelodi Sundowns (15) though they have played a game more, and Cardoso has been a big part of that, providing leadership in the last line of defence.

He has also scored four goals – three from the penalty spot – in the Absa Premiership, which is the best return from a defender in the league.  

DANIEL AKPEYI

With Itumeleng Khune out for so long with injury, there were fears that Chiefs would really struggle in the goalkeeping department this season.

But Nigeria international Akpeyi has risen to the occasion, producing numerous excellent saves and winning regularly points for the side.

It is to his great credit that he has managed to keep South Africa’s number one out of the side even after Khune returned from injury, and now looks to have the number one status within the team.

Akpeyi has made some high-profile errors on the past, but has kept those to a minimum in this campaign and is a key man for coach Ernst Middendorp.

SAMIR NURKOVIC

Chiefs have been much better in defence this season, but also more potent in attack, scoring 40 goals, comfortable the most in the top division.

Their revolution in the scoring stakes is largely down to the arrival of Serbian forward Nurkovic, who not only scores goals, but has a number of assists to boot.

He is a classic number nine, but with more pace and often finds himself out wide, where his deliveries have caused opponents plenty of trouble.

He has also netted 11 goals himself from 19 starts, an excellent return for a player who adapted quickly to the pace of the game after coming from the lower leagues in Slovakia.Nurkovic has arguably been the ‘buy’ of the season in the Absa Premiership.