Absa Premiership winning former Kaizer Chiefs captain, Cyril Nzama has paid a glowing tribute to the Executive Chairman, Kaizer Motaung and the team for winning the league and cup double in the past season.

The former Bafana Bafana defender was the last captain to lift the Absa Premiership trophy eight years ago before Itumeleng Khune did the same at Mbombela Stadium earlier this month.

“Congratulations are in order to the Coach, Stuart Baxter, his no. 2 ‘Docie’ (Doctor Khumalo), the rest of the Technical Team , the players and everyone at the Village for reclaiming the glory. I also would to congratulate ‘Chincha Guluva’, the Executive Chairman, Kaizer Motaung for his leadership. He made good signings at the beginning of the season and it paid off.

Nzama affectionately known to the gold and black faithful as ‘Skhokho’ won two league titles during his stint in Naturena.

He believes that good foundation was key to the Club’s success this season; “When you build a house you need good foundation and Chiefs got this right from the start.

“The Club brought good players in the two ‘towers’, Eric Mathoho and Morgan Gould and of course Siboniso Gaxa and Tsepo Masilela. They of course found Tefu Mashamaite and other guys waiting and ready to take their opportunities.

“In a title winning team it is important to stabilise the defence. There is a saying; “strikers win you games and defenders leagues,” which is true. Chiefs were solid at the back. Even when Morgan Gould got injured they had Mashamaite who came on and did the business with aplomb.

“I also feel that the success was also due to teamwork. Chiefs have great individual players like Shabba (Siphiwe Tshabalala), Yeye (Reneilwe Letsholonyane) and many others but they proved that they can play as a collective and this was important.

“The Technical Team needs to be congratulated for ensuring this as I feel it is a difference at times in teams that win the league.

Nzama added that there will be lot of pressure next season; “I am sure the players are aware of this; everyone will want to see if we can defend the league title. I believe with the team we have the boys are capable of giving a good account of themselves again next season.

“It will be important for us to collect as many points as we can early in the season like we did in the first round this year. There will also be Champions League football starting from February 2014 so we need to have a good start in August for us not to be under pressure towards the end of the season when all the teams are playing for something.”