Molefi Ntseki: Sibongiseni Mthethwa's arrival to free up Edson Castillo for a more offensive role

Speaking ahead of their DStv Premiership game against Cape Town City at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night, coach Molefi Ntseki says Castillo, who has been alternating in the no.6 role with Yusuf Maart, now gets to focus more on playing as a no.8.

In the 11 matches played so far, Castillo leads Amakhosi’s scoring charts with four goals, which is proof to Ntseki that he’s enjoying the more advanced role.

"In our profiling of Castillo, we were fully aware that he's more of an 8 and a 6 because he scored a few games playing for his team back home in Venezuela. So, that is a player we needed that is why the profile was done, that is why we ended up bringing him to Kaizer Chiefs and I think he has proved us right in terms of the qualities that he possesses as an individual," Ntseki said.

"For the past four games, we've been playing Castillo as an 8. We could realize that playing him as part of a 6, he has to cover a too-big distance to get into the goals and score but now that he's playing more of an 8, he knows he's got cover whenever he has to lose the ball or going into transition. I think Yusuf [Maart] has been doing very well in the number 6 role."

Mthethwa, who joined Chiefs on the eve of the transfer window deadline last month on a huge money deal from Stellenbosch FC, came on as a substitute for Castillo last week to make his debut during the 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United.

Asked if he could still pair the three players together, Ntseki does not rule that out.

"Ya, it will be possible depending on the game plan, depending on the moment, the face of the game. What do we want to achieve in that moment? If ever we want to see both of them helping the team offensively, yes you will see the three of them.

If we want to see both of them helping the team defensively it will happen because these are good quality players and I think when you profile our midfielders now, there's a very good balance. The unfortunate part is that when you have three of them on the pitch, you are likely to have two of them off the pitch.

When you have four of them in the team, you might have three of them not in the team. The most important thing is an understanding that we are developing within each one of them to say the squad has got this number of players and each one of them will get a chance to play and hopefully do well.

When you are doing well, there's no reason for any coach to take you out when you are doing well."