Daniel Cardoso has held the title of being Kaizer Chiefs’ ever-present figure in the starting XI for two seasons running...
Daniel Cardoso has held the title of being Kaizer Chiefs’ ever-present figure in the starting XI for two seasons running, but this campaign he has been overtaken by player who is quickly establishing himself as a mainstay for the Glamour Boys.
For the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, Cardoso has been Chiefs’ most relied on player making a staggering combined 81 appearances over the two seasons – the most of any Chiefs player in that period.
While he is still up there amongst the most-used Chiefs players continuing with his consistency this season, the 31-year-old is no longer the club’s ever-present.
Instead, it is young Njabulo Blom who has overtaken Cardoso as the club’s most-used player this season, flourishing in a more permanent right back role under coach Stuart Baxter.
Despite missing four games for Amakhosi this season, the 22-year-old has still managed to play more minutes (1373) than Cardoso (1314) and Keagan Dolly (1314) with Baxter preferring Blom over the more experienced Ramahlwe Mphahelele, while Siyabonga Ngezana works his way back following surgery.
Promoted to the Chiefs first team by coach Ernst Middendorp in the 2018/19 season, Blom has quicky endeared himself to the Chiefs faithful, putting in bold performances that belied his young age, whether it be in defence or in the heart of midfield where he was regularly used by former coach Gavin Hunt.
The sustained faith in the young defender has also seen an increase in Blom’s contribution towards goals at Chiefs this season. Having managed just two assists in his first two seasons with the club, Blom has already chipped in with four assists this season, which is indicative of his constant progress.
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