Does Dolly need to change his attitude?

Keegan Dolly once had the world at his fingertips. The names of the great teams he has played for Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns, Montpellier, and Bafana Bafana roll off the tongue. Dolly seemed to have it all and the potential to be the best South African player of his generation. However, this begs the question: does Dolly need to change his attitude? He certainly possesses the ability, but perhaps it is a matter of the system that Zwane currently employs or a lack of chemistry with Frosler or Solomons on the right side. It is more likely, however, that it is simply a question of hunger, desire, and determination to be the best.

We all remember when he burst onto the scene at Ajax Cape Town after flourishing in their youth system. Soon after that, in 2015, he got his big move to Mamelodi Sundowns where he could best express his mercurial talent.

Dolly conquered African football with the Masandawana in the 2015/16 season, where he became a South African champion, South African Cup winner, and CAF Champions League winner. Furthermore, in 2016 at the Olympic Games in Brazil, he was Bafana Bafana’s standout player and even threatened to upstage Neymar in the opening game of the tournament as he burst past several Brazilians in the early stages of the match.

Dolly eventually got his dream move to Europe, where Montpellier in the French top flight gave him his chance in January 2017. He played in France for 4.5 years, but it never quite happened for him there. Now, there may be several reasons why this transpired. However, we can confidently say that he didn’t live up to the expectations the South African public had for him.

The reality is that Dolly had the ability, and everything going in his favour, to secure that big move to the English Premier League and become our new Steven Pienaar, but with even better potential. Dolly was electrifying and played with the confidence that only someone can when they possess that much self-belief.

After Kaizer Chiefs’ disappointing 0-0 draw away to TS Galaxy, Dolly failed to deliver the end product required to break down a stubborn Galaxy side. Particularly when Marks Munyai got sent off, there was an expectation that Chiefs would easily score the goal that would give them victory. However, the AmaKhosi grew complacent and actually took their foot off the gas, labouring to a disappointing 0-0 draw. Dolly should have been demanding the ball at every opportunity and dictating the game. Rather, he was a shadow of his former self.

Keegan Dolly, who recently turned 30 years old, is by no means an old player. He still possesses that natural ability and wand of a left foot. However, his constant cutting inside from the right wing is causing an imbalance to the Chiefs team, and Arthur Zwane will need to assess that in the weeks to come. Dolly was once the hope for a nation, now he risks becoming a shadow of his former self.

Keegan Dolly, once regarded as one of the brightest prospects in South African football, has fallen from grace due to his lack of hunger and poor attitude. Despite having a close control, first touch, and left foot that resembles that of Bernardo Silva at Manchester City, Dolly has failed to reach his full potential. Bernardo, on the other hand, works tirelessly and runs around 12km each game, which is a testament to his raw hunger and drive. This comparison highlights the importance of hard work and determination in reaching one’s full potential, something that Dolly has failed to grasp. As a result, Dolly is at risk of causing division and disharmony in the Kaizer Chiefs dressing room. Coach Arthur Zwane must take into account Dolly’s poor attitude and lack of hunger and assess if he deserves a starting spot based on merit. In conclusion, Dolly needs to address his attitude if he wants to reach the heights that we all know he is capable of.

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Keegan Dolly of Kaizer Chiefs
Keegan Dolly of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership 2022/23 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Richards Bay at Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban on the 20 August 2022 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix