Chiefs’ Tower of strength to play mentor
Veteran defender will help guide club’s array of fledgling stars, says Kubheka
Veteran Kaizer Chiefs defender Eric “Tower” Mathoho looks to have survived the axe Amakhosi have been wielding on players who’ve been struggling with form in recent seasons.
Chiefs have already let go of a number of senior players, with Bernard Parker, Daniel Cardoso and Lazarous Kambole headlining the list.
Mathoho, who has also been a shadow of his former self in recent seasons, is understood to be staying put for the 2022-23 term.
Tower still has a year left on his contract with Amakhosi.
Footage on the club’s social media platforms shows the 31-year-old centre-back hard at work in preparation for the new campaign. Former Chiefs defender Nhlanhla Kubheka has weighed in on Mathoho’s Chiefs stay, saying the seasoned defender’s main role will be to mentor younger players and newcomers.
Chiefs have brought in a number of fledging stars such as Ashley du Preez, 24, Kamohelo Mahlatsi, 23, and George Matlou, 24.
“You must keep those players who you think are influential in terms of guiding the youngsters and I think Mathoho fits that profile. Every team needs one or two senior players, even though they might not play — their presence can do wonders in the camp.
“Mathoho is one of few senior guys left now, so maybe his role will be more of being a mentor to the young ones and the new ones,” he said.
Kubheka, who played for Chiefs between 1999 and 2006, admits Mathoho hasn’t been in top form recently.
Some Amakhosi fans have been calling for the tall defender’s head, especially after his back-pass blunder that gifted Golden Arrows a decisive goal in Amakhosi’s 0-1 defeat in March.
Mathoho did not feature again after that howler.
“He’s been struggling with consistency for the last few seasons,” Kubheka said.
“Last season, he was in and out of the team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a loser or a bad player because it’s a been a matter of losing form for him.”