Chiefs up to the challenge
Kaizer Chiefs will use Saturday's Telkom Charity Cup semifinal against Mamelodi Sundowns at Soccer City as a platform to regain their lost glory this season.
That was the word from Amakhosi captain Jimmy Tau, who said head
coach Vladimir Vermezovic has set down plans for a successful
season despite failing to make any big name signings in the
off-season.
The Downs-Amakhosi clash will be preceded by the opening
semifinal featuring Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu, which kicks-off at
10am. The final starts at 5pm.
Vermezovic has been stymied by clubs asking what he termed “over-inflated” prices for players he was interested in signing for the new
season.
Due to no suitable players being available, the Serbian decided
to promote five teenagers from the club's junior ranks.
Despite losing midfield ironman Tinashe Nenomasha to Qatar
and being likely to lose defender Valery Nahayo to the same Middle East
club, plus the imminent departure of star winger Siphiwe Tshabalala
to Europe, Tau is bubbling with confidence.
The Chiefs captain recently signed a three year extension to his
contract that will keep the hard tackling right-back at Chiefs
until 2014, when he will be 34.
“We will use the Charity Cup to prepare for the new season, but
at the same time we are out to win the trophy and set a platform
for a successful season,” said Tau.
He also said it is not right to compare players from different
eras but they aim to take the club back to where they belong and
that is at the top of South African soccer.
"We start this journey at Soccer City on Saturday,” he said.
Vermezovic has prepared two separate sides for the event which
will be watched by a capacity crowd of 90 000.
Said Vermezovic: “I plan to get to the final and therefore I
will select two totally different teams -- the one to play Sundowns
will change should we reach the final.”
Vermezovic said the reason for preparing two different squads
is to minimise injuries: “It is a challenge playing two big
matches on the opening day of the season.
"I cannot afford to risk players suffering injuries and will not
take any chances.”
The only player of any note signed by Chiefs is striker
Sthembiso Ngcobo from Free State Stars. The 26-year-old is expected
to make his debut but Vermezovic was honest when he admitted Ngcobo
was not on his list for new players.
Ngcobo is no world beater and it will be interesting to see if
Vermezovic partners him with the talented 20-year-old Zimbabwean,
Knowledge Musona, who was named as the club's Rookie of the Season.
In Sundowns, Chiefs face an unknown quantity. The big spending
outfit are mum on new players and on who will replace coach Hristo
Stoitchkov, who left at the end of last season.
Downs said they will unveil their new coach and players before
Saturday, but few are holding their breath as Downs' media
information machine is still living in the dark ages.
Stoitchkov's assistant, Antonio Lopez, is expected to be named
as coach.
Pirates will field some of their new signings, including Daine
Klate from SuperSport United and the duo secured from Bloemfontein
Celtic, Mark Mayambela and Patrick Malokase.
AmaZulu will feature a more youthful squad this season under new
coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who joined Usuthu from Durban neighbours
Golden Arrows in the off-season.
It promises to be a tough baptism for the 39-year-old Mngqithi,
who led Arrows to their first ever trophy by winning the MTN 8 last
season.
However, Arrows under Mngqithi failed to finish in the top eight
and therefore will not defend their top eight title.
Mngqithi joins a club notorious for hiring and firing coaches.
Just ask Neil Tovey, who was axed to make way for Mngqithi after
one season in charge, despite reaching the Nedbank Cup final, which
the team lost 3-0 to Bidvest Wits in that first match played at
Soccer City in May.
Defeat for the new Usuthu coach will not be a problem as the
Charity Cup is regarded as a pre-season friendly tournament.
Nevertheless, the teams are taking this event as a serious part
of their main preparation for the PSL season that kicks off later
this month.