Former Kaizer Chiefs centre-back Fabian McCarthy has spoken his mind, saying Ugandan Ivan Bukenya is better off playing in the in the Amakhosi central midfield than defense.
McCarthy revealed he still doesn’t see Bukenya as a natural centre-back and feels the Uganda international should have long cemented his place in the middle.
24-year-old Bukenya seems to have lost his place to Lorenzo Gordinho in the final matches of last year and McCarthy blamed it on his lack of pace.
“I think it is better if he can try and compete or fight for a place in central midfield because as far as his performances in central defence are concerned, it’s a bit of a question mark for me,” he told Goal.
“He lacks pace to play in that position for me, but I mean, maybe the coach has other plans and I saw the coach brought him on when they were leading the past weekend (against Bloemfontein Celtic).”
“He has got the chance of fighting for the position in midfield instead of only covering for one position you know what I am saying, but I mean, he should have cemented his place already with maybe Katsande or Letsholonyane or whoever in the team even with (Eric) Mathoho,” McCarthy added.
“Still, I think his position is still wide open anybody can fight for it. It’s just a matter of you performing, consistent and not conceding goals then you will play. Now, if you keep a clean-sheet whatever partnership is there will carry on.”
Bukenya missed the Cheifs’ outing with Maritzburg United in early December last year, a match they drew 1-1 and coach Steve Komphela defended his omission due to injury.
He later returned to full training to full training with the team after close to over a fortnight on the sidelines due to injury and has since featured once, against Bloemfontein Celtic, where he played the final quarter of the match.
