Posted in News, Team News on Apr 29, 2018.
“It’s important that we bounced back,” interim coach Patrick Mabedi said after the 2-0 win over Maritzburg United on Saturday afternoon. “We have been through difficult times, but everything went according to our plans today - a big thank you to the players for executing the plan.”
Mabedi admitted that taking over as the interim coach wasn’t easy, “You have to be mentally strong. However, when I was still playing and captaining the club, you have to be mentally strong as well. So I was prepared.”
The interim coach also changed the system, from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2. “The system depends on the opponent,” he reflected, “we thought that the 4-4-2 system could help us against Maritzburg United and it worked out nicely.”
Sibusiso Khumalo got his first start this season at left-back, while Edmore Chirambadare came on as a substitute in the second half, which was for the first time since the end of October 2017. “We played back-to-back games,” Mabedi commented. “We decided to give some players a break. Sibusiso and Edmore did well.”
Overall, the whole team delivered a spirited performance, including George Maluleka who was fighting hard in midfield, winning balls and providing the assist for Dumsani Zuma’s goal in the second half. Gustavo Páez had given Chiefs the lead in the first half. However, it was the young defender Siyabonga Ngezana who was awarded the Man of the Match, well deserved.
Chiefs and Maritzburg are fighting for third position, which leads to qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup. Thanks to the three points, Amakhosi are presently in third spot, two points ahead of the Pietermaritzburg-based side with one game to go.
Amakhosi face Ajax Cape Town in the last Absa Premiership fixture this season at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 12 May (kick-off at 15:00).
“The win against Maritzburg will give us confidence going into the Ajax game,” Mabedi said looking ahead. “It’s our objective to fight for third position and qualifying for the African Confederation Cup.
“But Ajax have a good side and they are fighting to survive relegation. We will plan to go out there, be professional and do our job. It will be a tough game, but we are definitely eying third spot.”
Mabedi admitted that taking over as the interim coach wasn’t easy, “You have to be mentally strong. However, when I was still playing and captaining the club, you have to be mentally strong as well. So I was prepared.”
The interim coach also changed the system, from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2. “The system depends on the opponent,” he reflected, “we thought that the 4-4-2 system could help us against Maritzburg United and it worked out nicely.”
Sibusiso Khumalo got his first start this season at left-back, while Edmore Chirambadare came on as a substitute in the second half, which was for the first time since the end of October 2017. “We played back-to-back games,” Mabedi commented. “We decided to give some players a break. Sibusiso and Edmore did well.”
Overall, the whole team delivered a spirited performance, including George Maluleka who was fighting hard in midfield, winning balls and providing the assist for Dumsani Zuma’s goal in the second half. Gustavo Páez had given Chiefs the lead in the first half. However, it was the young defender Siyabonga Ngezana who was awarded the Man of the Match, well deserved.
Chiefs and Maritzburg are fighting for third position, which leads to qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup. Thanks to the three points, Amakhosi are presently in third spot, two points ahead of the Pietermaritzburg-based side with one game to go.
Amakhosi face Ajax Cape Town in the last Absa Premiership fixture this season at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 12 May (kick-off at 15:00).
“The win against Maritzburg will give us confidence going into the Ajax game,” Mabedi said looking ahead. “It’s our objective to fight for third position and qualifying for the African Confederation Cup.
“But Ajax have a good side and they are fighting to survive relegation. We will plan to go out there, be professional and do our job. It will be a tough game, but we are definitely eying third spot.”
