“The boys were very down,” Kaizer Chiefs Reserves coach Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse reflects after the 2-0 loss against Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday. “We just couldn’t play our normal game.”

It was not a good weekend for the Amakhosi. Firstly, the MTN8 final was lost and, subsequently, Chiefs’ reserve side struggled to compete with the Brazilians in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC).

“We watched the MTN8 final together while we are in camp ahead of our game on Sunday,” comments Khuse. “It’s difficult to say if that result affected our performance against Sundowns. What I do know is that we struggled to find our rhythm. It happens.”

Due to Sunday’s disappointing result, Chiefs are now in seventh position on the MDC log, having collected four points from three games played.

Khuse, however, is not too bothered about the log standings. “Our focus is not only on winning, but it is above all about improving players so that they will be ready for the first team.”

Chiefs usually use only four players from the first team, while other sides, including Sundowns, use six or seven from their senior squad.

“We are fielding a very young side,” adds Khuse, “a few are as young as 16 or 17-years old.

Chiefs Reserves have also been without Yusuf Bunting, who shone in the first match against Jomo Cosmos. Bunting is injured.

Another player missing is the talented midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa, who is with South Africa’s Under-17 team preparing for the World Cup, which will be held in Chile, starting on 17 October.

The next game for the reserves will be against Polokwane City on Saturday, 10 October, at the Dobsonville Stadium (kick-off is at 12:00).

“The break will give us time to correct some issues and be ready for the Polokwane clash,” Khuse concludes.