“Camp is one of the steps in our pre-season preparations,” says Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela upon the team’s return from pre-season camp in Mpumalanga.

“We used the camp to welcome and introduce the Chiefs way to the new members of the team. Everybody is now integrated in the system and we move a step closer to be ready before the start of the season.”

The Amakhosi coach explains that his team focused mainly on physical work. “We have thirty cup finals to play,” Komphela refers to the league fixtures starting towards end of August.

“At Chiefs every match we play is a cup final and the team is aware of that. Added to the 30 league finals, we have three cup competitions to contest. We can only achieve our objectives with high energy and fitness levels and that’s what we are instilling in the team at the moment.”

Komphela gives a hint about his plans for the season: “This team needs to be strong, fit and explosive. The new physical trainer, Marco Munhoz, is adapting well. In fact, Marco indicated his appreciation to work in such a professional set-up. The players are responding and cooperating with his methods.”

The Brazilian Munhoz was roped in as one of the new members of the technical team before the start of the new season.

“In terms of our tactical preparations, we have been working hard on set-pieces,” revealed Komphela citing the concern that Chiefs scored twenty goals and conceded the same number from set-pieces. “We are working hard to resolve that situation.”

“We are also expected to play an attractive type of football,” continues the Amakhosi coach. “We have to bring back the excitement in our play. Everybody expects Chiefs to play exciting football, as we have a football curriculum to follow.

Chiefs is more than football, it is an institution that is governed by a set of principles. We achieved a lot in this ten-day camp, but you can never say you are ready until you get in a competitive match.”

At the camp, the Amakhosi played minor practice matches to test the tactics and combinations considering there are new players in the team. “We played small practice matches from which one cannot read much,” adds Komphela.

“The Carling Cup will be a test case. That’s where you get the rude awakening. The status of that match is high on all fronts. It is the season’s curtain raiser and therefore a much anticipated affair. We will be able to say we are at least 50-60% ready to start the season, because we will have feedback from the intensity of the match.”