IT’S A matter of mind games.
Host Kaizer Chiefs welcomes the Pretoria side Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday 2 September, for the MTN8 first semi-finals at FNB Stadium.
For AmaKhosi- its going to be three C’s – Calm, Control and Courageous yet for Downs it’s a continuation of winning mentality in the team.
Chiefs go in to this game having won their last two matches- Stellenbosch FC and AmaZulu in the league games.
This follows poor start of the season that resulted in fans pelting coach Molefi Ntseki. Neither of his players were selected for national team friendly matches citing” as a former Bafana coach such things do happen, my players not being in the national team is the coach’s prerogative and would not want to comment much on it”.
But being a seasoned campaigner he had to quickly dust-off himself and fine tune his playing tactics that has seen the team collect six-points in two consecutive games.
At the MTN8 media brief yesterday, the relaxed Ntseki told the packed media gallery that “history is for historians and the future is for the club”.
“What’s important for Kaizer Chiefs is to continue working on the three C’s – Calm, Control and Courageous. But the most important thing is confidence,” he said.
“We are not reading much into the past but we are looking much into writing a new history. This new history must come with a lot of challenges and personality expressions.”
Ntseki claims the future is bright for the Amakhosi as the non-starters are also eager to be part of turning their fortunes around.
“I keep on saying, nobody will ever put you in the starting XI – you must put yourself (there). And that is a very fair competition that we have at the club.
“And that’s why you see everybody is looking forward to being in the starting XI – even those that are on the bench and grandstands.
“They are coming in and saying: ‘If I come in, I am going to do my best as long as I am courageous, confident and calm’. The history is for historians, and the future is for Kaizer Chiefs!”
The former Bafana Bafana coach also lamented the fact that the club relies on luck, attesting its about faith and belief as well.
“If you combine all that it bears a winning combination, after-all football is all about luck.”
This was preceded by comments by Downs coach Rulani Mokwena that Chiefs is dependent on luck.
“We all know Chiefs has more luck than any of other clubs, but its not a bad thing,” he said much to laughter from members of the press.
“Gods’ must be Chiefs number one supporter” he continued.
On his tactics Mokwena said although the team looks like ICU due to injuries, most of the players are now back on the green grass.
“Most of them are slowly hitting the green grass- a good sign for me and technical team. Every player
On the two-legged affair, Mokwena said it was taking a toll on his players as injuries are not healing as quick as one would have thought.
As for Saturday’s clash, ‘I have much respect for AmaKhosi and the best team must win’ says Mokwena.
Kick-off 3pm.
Other MTN8 first semis: Sunday September 3: Stellenbosch FC v Orlando Pirates, Athlone Stadium (3pm)
Second legs: Saturday September 23: Mamelodi Sundowns v Kaizer Chiefs, Lucas Moripe Stadium (3pm) Sunday September 24: Orlando Pirates v Stellenbosch FC, Orlando Stadium (3pm)
Image Mdu Mphahlele (Mind games. Orlando Pirates coach Rulani Mokwena and counterpart Chiefs mentor Molefi Ntseki at the press brief on Thursday at PSL offices).
