kaizerchiefs.com caught up with the Football Manager, Bobby Motaung, looking ahead of the restarting of the 2013/14 PSL programme in a few weeks time.

Motaung expressed some of the plans in earlier interview with the SABC Radio and TV News.

The Amakhosi went into the festive break leading in the PSL log standings.

The Amakhosi will also have to defend their Nedbank Cup as well as embark on the journey in quest to conquer Africa when they participate in the CAF Championship starting in February. Chiefs will host Black Africa from Namibia in the first round of the CAF Championship during the weekend of the 7-9 February 2014.

"It is going to be a challenging period. We are going to require lots of energy and strength. Football is very interesting, when you don't play enough games you complain, and when the games come thick and fast you also complain. This is the time to be tested and to face reality. It is going to take a balance of the league programme and travelling. We will need to plan properly and I think we are geared for the road ahead," said Motaung.

"There will be minimum postponements of the league fixtures, as we will be starting by travelling across the neighbouring countries. It will be a matter of adapting to playing on weekend and midweek. We will need to have a strong mental strength and also be consistent," continued Motaung.

Motaung touched on the player movements amidst much speculation in the media and from the supporters,

"We are looking at 3 to 4 players to add on and strengthen certain positions in the Team. Most of the pundits have not flagged the fact that at the beginning of last season we brought in about seven players, Gould, Mathoho, Gaxa, Masilela, Nkhatha, Moleko and Rusike. And we have extended contracts of some of the key players such as Letsholanyane, Parker and Mashamaite.

If you look at our squad, about seventeen of our guys are fully fledged internationals and that should auger well for our Continental campaign. The Technical Team is equally of international standard. The Coach has been around and has also coached at national level and travelled Africa," commented Motaung,

"The supporters and the media will always have their wish list in terms of who must come and go at Chiefs. But they must understand that we are involved in a competitive business.

The other Clubs would like to hold on to their good players and the players too, have dreams and ambitions to satisfy. Some Clubs would not let go of their players to Chiefs fearing that we will conquer both Africa and the domestic league. Sometimes you find that the players that are available in the market are not what you need. There is also a matter of respecting players contracts with their Clubs, it is a complex situation," said Motaung.

Motaung mentioned some of the cases to illustrate the dynamics involved in the player movements at Chiefs,

"We wanted to sign Manyama from Ajax Cape Town. We followed all protocols and agreed with Ajax on a deal to engage Lebohang Manyama through his agent. The deal fell through as the player showed no interest to join us. We respected that and it is within his own right to play for the team of his choice.

The matter of Edward Manqele now rests with his Club, Mamelodi Sundowns. We have submitted our proposals and also extended our engagement to Moroka Swallows, where the player is currently on loan. We offered them one or two of our quality players as part of the deal to bring Manqele to Naturena. We are waiting for Sundowns to decide on the move. We have also confirmed that we are negotiating for the the services of George Maluleka from SuperSport United and we will make the announcement in due course," revealed Motaung.

As for Lehlohonolo Majoro, the striker has informed the Club that he will not be renewing his contract with the Glamour Boys at end of the season,

"Major has stated his wish and we did not want to stand in his way. He knows Chiefs very well and hence will not try to convince him to stay or leave as he knows what's best for him. We want to create an enabling environment for the players and not stifle the players if they want to explore their dreams and ambitions.

We bring the players to Chiefs for a reason and once they concluded their contract with the team, is the same as when they retire, we received their service and there is no loss of investment if the player has played a role in the Team. Players always come and go at the Club," said Motaung, confirming Majoro's exit from the Amakhosi camp.

Motaung confirmed the renewal of contracts and ongoing negotiations with the other Glamour Boys,

"Negotiations have gone well with all but one (Majoro) of the players that have their contracts running out at the end of the season. Katsande and Mathoho have their contracts extended to 2017 and Masilela is waiting to sign on the dotted line while Dladla and Nkosi negotiations will resume soon.

We have given Musona an opportunity to think through his situation. We have an agreement in place with his German Team, Hoffenheim which we will review at the end of the season,"commented Motaung.

"At the moment we are working around the clock to secure signatures of the players that we need. We are also looking at our Development players. As you are aware our Development side has just won the Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Tournament. Philani Cele was recently promoted to the senior Team and made his debut against TUKS last month.

We are putting emphasis on Development. We have bolstered the capacity there, we have strengthened the Technical Team and also have engaged the North West University for a scientific and holistic approach to our Development," said Motaung.

Motaung reiterated the Chiefs position on releasing the Chiefs players for CHAN, "We have expressed our commitment to support the National Team and hence we have written a letter to SAFA indicating that we will release the players to the National Team after our game against Mamelodi Sundowns taking place on 23rd January 2014.

This we suggested after considering all factors and agreements between SAFA and the PSL, as well as the discussions that took place between the Club Chairmen and SAFA on this matter. It is about satisfying both the Club and the National interest," concluded Motaung.